Communication in noise with acoustic and electronic hearing protection devices

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate communication ability in noise at two signal presentation levels when using acoustic and electronic hearing protection devices (HPDs). Fourteen normal hearing subjects were fitted binaurally with custom acoustic HPDs (ER-15) and custom electronic HPDs (Starkey SA T9). Probe microphone measurements were obtained on 28 ears for three experimental conditions (open ear, acoustic HPD, electronic HPD) at four input signal levels (60, 70, 80, 90 dB SPL). Also, communication in noise was evaluated for three conditions (open ear, acoustic HPD, electronic HPD) at two input signal levels (75 and 90 dB SPL) using the Hearing In Noise Test. Results indicated significantly greater attenuation as well as significantly better communication in noise for the acoustic HPD. Results also indicated that the electronic HPD failed to attenuate any input signal utilized. Although results of behavioral testing indicated that communication ability in noise was not significantly impacted by varying the signal presentation level when utilizing either HPD, a more salient finding may be that utilization of the electronic HPD may place listeners at risk for temporary or permanent sensorineural hearing loss.