Hearing Aids for Music (Alinka Greasley)

What is it like to experience music with a hearing loss? How do levels of hearing loss and the uses of hearing aids affect music perception? How can we improve hearing aid technology for music listening and performance? Research within the School, funded by the UKRI, has been addressing these questions.

The Hearing Aids for Music (HAFM) project explored how hearing loss and the use of hearing aid technology affects people’s music experiences through a series of clinic surveys, an interview study and a national online survey. It was an interdisciplinary project led by a small team and supported by an advisory board who are leaders in a range of disciplines including music psychology, clinical audiology, computer science, auditory perception, deaf education, and hearing therapy.

The HAFM team obtained a large amount of original empirical data from over 1,500 hearing aid users and over 100 audiology practitioners across the UK and internationally and have worked with National Health Service (NHS) Trusts across the country. The project was pioneering in its accessibility – all studies have been accessible for deaf people with British Sign Language as first language. Project findings have shown that whilst hearing aids facilitate musical appreciation, there are challenges in musical settings such as distortion, difficulties hearing words in songs, and difficulties in live performance contexts. To improve music listening, our research has identified behavioural strategies for hearing aid users and musicians (e.g. listening practice, the use of music programs, assistive listening devices) and practice-based strategies for audiologists (e.g. counselling tips, fitting hearing aids in clinic, tools to aid discussion). We have developed advice leaflets for hearing aid users and audiologists which outline these strategies, and which are freely available above and on our resources page.

The project has had an impact on patients and the general public, audiologists and hearing healthcare practitioners, and the hearing aid industry. Hearing aid users have reported positive changes in music listening and performing practices as a result of participating in our work, enabling (re)engagment in musical activities and subsequent improvements in quality of life and creative output. Deaf musicians have reported increased knowledge of the capabilities of hearing aid and assistive listening technologies, and that they will share what they have learned with other musicians. Audiologists have gained insights that have informed their clinical practice. In particular, as a direct results of using our resources, audiologists have reported more confidence in providing advice about music listening in clinic and in programming hearing aids for music. Resources developed on the project (patient and practitioner leaflets) are now being used in NHS Trust clinics across the UK. Hearing aid manufacturers have valued the opportunity for networking, and provided by our project, and have confirmed that they wish to be part of any further research that we undertake in the area.