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Variables affecting the use of prescriptive formulae to fit modern nonlinear hearing aids
1Widex Hearing Aid Company, USA, Long Island City, New York 11106, USA.
Journal of the American Academy of Audiology
|May 17, 2000
Summary
Fitting nonlinear hearing aids with standard formulas may not be optimal for multichannel devices. This study examines factors affecting hearing aid output and clinical practice implications.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Hearing Science
- Signal Processing
Background:
- Current hearing aid fitting relies on prescriptive formulas.
- These formulas may be less effective for modern multichannel compression hearing aids compared to older analog models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of various nonlinear hearing aid parameters on the final output.
- To explore the subjective effects of these parameters and their clinical implications.
Main Methods:
- Discussion of key parameters: filter bandwidth, channel count, detector type, compression threshold, attack/release times, and distortion.
- Exploration of subjective outcomes and their relevance to audiological practice.
Main Results:
- Standard fitting formulas may lead to suboptimal outcomes in multichannel hearing aids.
- Specific parameters significantly influence the hearing aid's acoustic output.
Conclusions:
- The direct application of traditional formulas to nonlinear, multichannel hearing aids requires careful consideration.
- Understanding the interplay of compression parameters is crucial for optimizing patient fittings and clinical practice.