ஐ.எஸ்.எஸ்.என்: 2375-4427
Marinda Uys, Lidia Pottas, Catherine Van Dijk and Bart Vinck
Objective: To date, the main focus in frequency lowering hearing aid studies has been in relation to speech perception abilities. With improvements in hearing aid technology, interest in musical perception as a dimension that could improve hearing aid users’ quality of life, however, grew. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of non-linear frequency compression (NFC) on music perception with the use of a self-compiled Music Perception Test (MPT).
Design & Sample: A quasi-experimental research design was implemented to fit participants (n=40) with NFC hearing aids. Test data was obtained with the hearing aids with NFC inactive and active.
Results: The use of NFC significantly improves hearing aid users’ perception of timbre and melody.
Conclusion: The use of NFC can result in hearing users perceiving music more positively and does not influence music perception negatively.