Advances in FM Technology Improving Performance in APD

Miranda Weidle, MSPediatric and FM Specialist

The ear will pick it up, the brain will process it.

Other Sensory Processing

Memory Language Attention

CAP Learning Cognition Intelligence

SPEECH PERCEPTION

ADHD

LD(C) APD

SLI

Hearing is an important sense for Learning

• Parents and teachers capitalize on this – using the auditory-oral communication mode as the primary approach in the majority of learning situations

• In our communication we engage in small talk, fiery discussions, romantic discourse, philosophy & politics,…

• This emphasis on listening can pose difficulties for those who cannot use this information successfully

Information carried from the ear to the brain must be of high fidelity

or the information available to the listener will be faulty

Sometimes people lose high-fidelity listening – despite normal hearing thresholds…

• Auditory Processing Disorder• Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder• Specific Learning Disability• Multiple Sclerosis• Non-native speakers• Sensory Processing Difficulties, e.g. Asperger‘s syndrome,

Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Integration Disorder• Speech-Language Disorder• Cerebral Palsy• Traumatic Brain Injury

…or near-to-normal hearing thresholds…

• Unilateral Hearing Loss• Slight Hearing Loss• Permanent Conductive Hearing Loss• Fluctuating Conductive Hearing Loss• High-frequency Hearing Loss• Auditory Neuropathy/Dys-synchrony

Children are more at risk than adults in the presence of background noise

• Children bring a different listening to a learning or communicative situation

• Background noise masks speech and reduces speech quality

• Understanding speech means that we combine what we hear with what we know

• The auditory system doesn’t mature until the age of 16• Children don’t have the language and life experiences

adults use to fill in gaps

An Auditory Processing Disorder

• Affects the efficiency & precision with which we handle auditory system, primarily in the central auditory system

• 3-5 % of all children (Musiek, 1997)

• 2 times more boys than girls

• Many different possible causes

Identification Process

• Electrophysiologic Tests• Behavioral Test Monaural Low-Redundancy Speech Tests • Dichotic Speech Tests

– Dichotic digit test• Temporal Patterning Tests

– Frequency pattern sequences test– Binaural Interaction Tests

• Rapidly Alternating Speech Perception

(Schminky & Baran, 1999)

LISN-S

Audiologists can offer

• Direct remediation therapy

• Compensatory strategies

• Environmental modifications

Use of an FM system

• Considered a corner-stone intervention

• It gives the listener an upfront & high-quality access to the speaker‘s voice

• Listeners can focus on content

Evidence shows a clear FM benefit for children with learning difficulties

• Increased attention• Optimal spoken language understanding• Higher academic achievement• More consistent on-task behavior• Maximum speech understanding in noise• Improvement in classroom behavior• Important for long-term benefits: having children tune in

again

(Blake et al., 1991; Musiek & Chermak, 1997 ; Stach et al., 1987; Crandell et al., 2002)

Massive improvement of speech understanding in noisy situations

Speech understanding in noise (Basler): Improvement

27 dB SNR improvement with FM system

St.Gallen Study, 2004

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ovem

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typical value for directional microphones FM

FM increases auditory memory skills

"Telephone game" (Audiolog): Improvement after 4 months

Improvement in auditory memory is significant better for the FM users compared to the controls

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ovem

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Experimental group (with FM)

Control group (without FM)

%

St.Gallen Study, 2004

AERP results show brain change/maturation

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onset

½ year

1 year

FM Group Matched Control Group

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(Friedrichs 2004)

iSense

The NEW Dynamic FM system for those with

normal or near-to-normal hearing

iSense Micro & iSense Classic with inspiro

) ) ) )

iSense with Dynamic FM – inside

Dynamic FM features:

• Dynamic Speech Extractor• DataLogging FM• Monitoring with Earwax detection• ChannelFinder• SoundCheck• MultiTalker Network

Specific for the iSense receivers

Dynamic Speech Extractor Automatic brilliance

Comprises several sub-features:

•AFMAAdaptive FM Advantage

•VADVoice Activity Detection

•EAFMAEasy Adjustment of FM Advantage

Dynamic Speech Extractor Adaptive FM volume

• iSense adapts volume automatically - based on the level of background noise

• iSense’s output stays within safe limits – at all times

Dynamic Speech Extractor Voice Activity Detector

VAD in the transmitter mutes the receiver when the speaker stops talking

•Benefit 1: ambient noise is not amplified during speech pauses

•Benefit 2: FM channel noise is not audible when the receivers are silent

Dynamic Speech ExtractorEasy Adjustment of FM Advantage

• allows for quick and easy adjustment to individual needs and preferences in real conditions

• separate adjustment of left/right receivers in case of binaural fitting

• remote volume control for the iSense Micro receiver

• via the wireless sub audio data link• ± 8 dB range, 2 dB step size• talk into the microphone and ask the listener

for feedback

Monitoring for daily reassurance

Monitored parameters:• Receiver channel• FM receiver settings• FM gain• Battery status• User name / serial number• Earwax detection results (iSense Micro only!)

The iSense wearer hears beeps confirming finalization of monitoring

Datalogging FMProviding comprehensive insight

• DataLogging FM data is accessible from FM SuccessWare 4.0 onwards, so only to the audiologist/FM fitter

• DataLogging FM enables the fitter to give excellent support to FM users and their environment (parents, teachers, partner, friends)

• DataLogging FM saves teachers to take notes when something happens

• DataLogging FM provides detailed insight in the FM system‘s performance and use over time

iSense products Receivers

iSense Micro iSense Classic

iSense Micro

Lightweight and stylish• Ergonomic, beautiful design• Flexible and secure• Small in size• 6 colors • 312 battery

iSense Micro – different parts

iSense housing

One-size Flex, left/right compatible, no bending tool necessary

Retention

battery door on/off

CerustopPin

iSense Micro – client preferences

iSense Micro• micro-style for lightweight

wearing• fully automatic• choice of colors to suit personal

preferences• virtually invisible resembling a

Bluetooth headset• remote volume control via inspiro• earwax detection

iSense Classic – client preferences

iSense Classic

• affordable solution for binaural fitting

• a directly accessible volume control

• easy-to-operate receiver with clear LED indication

• robust body-worn housing• contemporary MP3-player

like design

Dynamic FM Transmitters

inspiro iLapel iBoom

inspiro used with iSense Micro

inspiro used with iSense Classic

Basic FM features

Dynamic Speech Extractor

Earwax detection at start up

Monitoring without Earwax detection

Monitoring with Earwax detection

DataLogging FM

ChannelFinder

SoundCheck

MultiTalker Network

iSense – with “Dynamic FM” transmitter options

Conclusions

• FM systems prove beneficial for those challenged understanding and/or concentrating in background noise – despite normal or near-to-normal hearing thresholds

• Lisn-S • Dynamic FM is a revolutionary new platform and has set the

bar for FM in the classroom.• iSense Micro and iSense Classic - two NEW trendy FM

receivers • The transmitter of choice for educational environments is

inspiro