Neurotone Inc.

Independent study of the effectiveness of LACE

Adam @ Neurotone — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 22:34:15 +0000

A recent independent study of the effectiveness of LACE training has been published in the journal, Cerebral Cortex (Song, et al, 2011). In this study the authors describe behavioral improvements on speech in noise measures, and, for the first time, changes in neurophysiologic responses in participants that completed the LACE training.

More about the study:
Participants were normal hearing young adults, all of whom were proficient in the English language, but half of the participants were non-native speakers of English. Participants were randomly assigned to the training group, or to a control group. Both groups completed baseline testing that included the QuickSIN, HINT and auditory brainstem responses. The training group completed the LACE protocol and showed significant improvements on the LACE training tasks, the QuickSIN and the HINT. These participants also showed enhancements in the neurophysiologic representation of pitch cues in the presence of background noise. The control group did not show changes on any measures. This study is the first to show that short-term training with naturalistic stimuli, like those used in LACE, can improve the neural representation of speech cues that are critical for understanding speech in noise.

When discussing the study the authors contend: “…change in perception and neurophysiology likely resulted from the way in which LACE integrates cognitive factors into its auditory training exercises.” The authors stress the importance of LACE’s unique approach of integrating sensory and cognitive training to improve listening in difficult environments.

At Neurotone we are very pleased to see independent studies like these and wanted to share with you the latest support for using LACE in your practice.

Dig Deeper:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21799207
http://www.soc.northwestern.edu/brainvolts/publications.php
Direct link to full study – PDF file

Better Hearing Institute Aural Education Article

Adam @ Neurotone — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 16:54:16 +0000

Check out the newest aural education article for consumers at the Better Hearing Institute. Dr. Robert W. Sweetow, Professor of Otolaryngology, University of California, San Francisco has created a patient counseling article which helps the consumer understand why training the brain to listen is so important in optimizing the hearing aid experience.

It should be reinforced at this point that better hearing is not a passive process where you simply let the hearing aids do all the work; success does not rest solely on the hearing aid and the expertise of the hearing healthcare professional. To optimize your hearing aid experience you must become an active participant. One of the best ways to do this is to become an active listener using software like LACE.

Robert W. Sweetow, Ph.D., Professor of Otolaryngology, University of California, San Francisco

The Better Hearing Institute (BHI) is a not-for-profit corporation that educates the public about the neglected problem of hearing loss and what can be done about it. Learn More

“LACE will train our brains how to better interpret these sounds”

Adam @ Neurotone — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 18:01:02 +0000

We recently conducted in interview with Dr. Cheryl Lokanis AuD from Evergreen Speech & Hearing Clinic regarding their successful implementation of LACE into their practice. Please read the complete interview below.

How exactly do you use LACE in your practice?

At Evergreen Speech & Hearing Clinic, we have a comprehensive aural rehabilitation program called “The Connect Program” which incorporates several keys elements, including LACE. The hearing instruments allow patients to gain access to sound, while the LACE training sharpens the ability to make sense of these sounds that the patient hears. We dispense LACE to all our Connect patients, both new and long term, who have recently purchased new hearing devices.

What is the role of the LACE coach?

The audiology assistants are the official LACE coaches. The role of the LACE coach is to increase LACE compliance by assisting patients in the initiation of the program, affirming A.R./LACE goals, following up on their progress, and motivating the patients to do LACE. Additionally, we rely on the participation of all team members at our clinic to motivate the patient to participate in the LACE training. The audiologist counsels the patient on aural rehabilitation goals, which has been a great counseling tool to increase LACE compliance. Our Front Office Staff have also encouraged and congratulated patients on their LACE progress. Finally, during aural rehabilitation workshops, patients have “coached” and empowered other patients to do LACE!

Why is LACE important to your practice?

LACE is an integral part of our complete aural rehabilitation program. Hearing devices alone cannot restore hearing, rather, it allows the patient to gain access to sound. Our brain will interpret these sounds. LACE will train our brains how to better interpret these sounds; how to focus on what is important and how to ignore the rest.

Why is LACE important to your patients?

LACE empowers our patients to take control of their situation, to improve overall hearing and to have confidence that what they heard is what they think they heard. It’s also a great counseling tool for discussing realistic expectations.

Neurotone congratulates Evergreen Speech & Hearing on their successful use of LACE.
There has never been a better time to add LACE to your services. Contact us today!

For more information on Evergreen Speech and Hearing Clinic visit www.everhear.com.

New Video Relay Service iPhone 4 App for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Adam @ Neurotone — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 00:49:01 +0000

Great to see new technologies being released to assist the hearing impaired on mobile devices:

AT&T* today announced a new video relay service (VRS) app for iPhone 4 that allows deaf and hard of hearing customers to make VRS calls. The AT&T VRS app is available today on the App Store.

AT&T VRS is a service that allows a person who uses American Sign Language (ASL) to place a relay call to a hearing person by communicating through a certified ASL interpreter. AT&T has offered video relay services to customers for many years, but the new AT&T VRS app provides a more flexible and convenient way for users to make VRS calls on the go. iPhone 4 customers can make unlimited VRS calls using the AT&T VRS app at no additional cost.

President Obama Signs 21st Century Communications & Video Accessibility Act

Adam @ Neurotone — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 17:59:08 +0000

On October 8th 2010, President Obama signed the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 into law.

According to the Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology (COAT), the new law:

Provides definitions for “advanced communications” (including interconnected and non-interconnected voice over Internet protocol (VoIP), electronic messaging, and interoperable video conferencing services); “consumer-generated media”; and “disability.”
Requires telephones used with the Internet to be hearing aid compatible.

For a complete list of the items this law covers, visit the Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology.

Watch Video of President Obama Signing the 21st Century Communications & Video Accessibility Act below

10 Recent Comments From LACE Users

Adam @ Neurotone — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 17:37:46 +0000

We would like to thank all the folks who have reached the 20-day training milestone in LACE and have taken the time to provide feedback on their experiences. User feedback is very important to product evolution and we certainly appreciate hearing from all of you.

Below is just a small sample of some recent feedback we’ve received on LACE:

This training helped me realize that I had become a lazy listener. I think I was frustrated about not being able to hear so I just stopped trying. LACE encouraged me to try harder and as a result I learned where my weaknesses are and how to help strengthen those weaknesses. The program is easy to use and does not take a lot of time each day so you don’t mind following through with the training.

I think I am a better listener now. Thanks for the help.
Betty Heaton - Cleveland, OH

I completed the training and I am very happy with the results. I feel so inspired, and grateful to understand the process of learning to hear with the brain. Thank you, The Lace Company, for giving me back my Youth and Joy of enjoying my many lectures, family, friends and group meetings. I would like to continue with more training.

I will be reviewing the current training daily that is available to me at this time. I do enjoy the workout and success of listening with the brain. I understand that I am waking up to a new method of personal growth and I love the process and joy of learning.

Cathleen Quinn - Glencoe, IL

The course was both enjoyable and very helpful. I believe training of this type is not only very much needed but is hopefully just the start of a wide range of developmental exercises that will be routinely available to the public in the future.

I will be eagerly watching future developments.

John Farrell - Portland, ME

Thanks for the opportunity to get practice and feedback in improving my ability to hear! I have been in a number of situations since I began my training that I am sure I would not have been able to understand what was going on before I had the training!

David Johnson - Seattle, WA

I found the program very useful and noticed a marked improvement in my listening over time. I also experienced a leap in confidence in all my social listening. I also noticed that I often did not understand the first time something was played but that it became easier with repetition. I liked being able to playback what I heard and found this very helpful as things began to become clearer the more I listened. Thank you for a most helpful program.

Moira Kelly - Billings, MT

Thanks so much for this great program! I feel that many of the tasks have assisted me in learning to actively listen to those speakers around me no matter what the listening environment presents. LACE is an extremely effective way to increase one’s listening skills over time!

Warren Maxwell - Fresno, CA

LACE is a fabulous program. The Communication Strategies made me think of how I adapted to gradual hearing loss and how the “bad listener” habits accrued over time. These helpful hints and strategies helped me to focus on really listening.

Carol Kearby - Edmond, OK

I have had a hearing loss since birth¸ but it was only detected at the age of 45. The LACE program has taught me the importance of paying attention and helping to block out background noises. I would highly recommend it!

Jason Jones - Longmont, CO

Thank you for developing the LACE program. Because of it, I realize how easy it was to change some old non-listening habits. Sticking with the LACE program IS worth it. Thank you.

Michele Buddemeyer - San Antonio, TX

Since acquiring hearing aids and beginning LACE training I am acutely aware of growing confidence and a sense of awareness in social settings. I wonder how many older people appear senile or disconnected just because they cannot hear and have lost the ability to listen. I will continue to use LACE as long as it is available to me.

Kenneth Cory - Clearwater, FL

LACE in Australia and New Zealand

Adam @ Neurotone — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:06:28 +0000

Neurotone is proud to announce the availability of LACE in Australia and New Zealand!
LACE is now sold in Australia and New Zealand from Blamey & Saunders Hearing. Blamey & Saunders Hearing are owned by well-known scientists in the area of evidence-based hearing technology, and have partnered with leading international suppliers to develop a hearing aid specially designed to be adjusted by you, the user. This way you get to adjust the hearing aid just how you want it to sound.

To learn more about Blamey & Saunders Hearing click here.

One in Five U.S. Adolescents Has Hearing Loss

Adam @ Neurotone — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 22:49:30 +0000

According to new research from Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), hearing loss among U.S. adolescents has surged. Quote from Hearing Mojo:

In findings published in this month’s Journal of the American Medical Association, the researchers analyzed data from two major surveys done by the National Institutes of Health, one done in 2005-2006 and the other done from 1988 through 1994. They found the rate of significant hearing loss — such as inability to hear soft sounds such as whispers or high-frequency sounds such as high musical notes or high-pitched voices — had increased among adolescents aged 12-19 from 14.9 percent in the first survey to 19.5 percent in the second, a 30 percent increase.

Read the whole story at Hearing Mojo

Sign Language Over Mobile Phones

Adam @ Neurotone — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 17:30:38 +0000

Here’s an interesting article on the the “MobileASL” project at UW.

The MobileASL project at UW has been working to optimize compressed video signals for sign language. By increasing image quality around the face and hands, researchers have brought the data rate down to 30 kilobytes per second while still delivering intelligible sign language. MobileASL also uses motion detection to identify whether a person is signing or not, in order to extend the phones’ battery life during video use.

Click here to read the full article at GizMag.com

Check out the video below explaining the research and showing the phones in action

On Web Video, Captions Are Coming Slowly

Adam @ Neurotone — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 15:59:13 +0000

Here’s an interesting article on the state of Web Video Captions:

The actress Marlee Matlin shimmied her way onto “Dancing With the Stars” two years ago, memorably using sign language to tell viewers to “read my hips.” But when Ms. Matlin, who is deaf, went to ABC.com to watch a replay of the show, she was impeded because the network’s videos were missing captions.
Closed-captioning is mandatory on television, but not for TV programs on the Internet. And that has turned Web sites like ABC.com into battlegrounds for advocates like Ms. Matlin, who have spoken up on the lack of captions on sites like CNN.com and services like Netflix.