Entropy as a Measure of Auditory Environment Diversity: An Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) Approach.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To determine the validity and usefulness of entropy computed using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) data as a measure of auditory environment diversity.

Design

We conducted two secondary analyses on existing EMA datasets. The first determined the construct validity of auditory environment entropy by examining the effect of COVID-19 on entropy. To demonstrate entropy's usefulness, the second examined if entropy could predict the benefit of hearing aid (HA) noise reduction features.

Results

Consistent with the known effect of COVID-19 on social lifestyle, COVID-19 significantly reduced auditory environment diversity, supporting entropy's construct validity. HA users with higher entropy reported poorer outcomes and perceived more benefit from HA features,

SUBMITTER: Wu YH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10271950 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul-Aug 01

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature