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Effect of handset proximity on hearing aid feedback
Michael R Stinson1, Gilles A Daigle
1Institute for Microstructural Sciences, National Research Council, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0R6, Canada. mike.stinson@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|April 3, 2004
Summary
Hearing aid feedback sensitivity increases significantly when a telephone handset is near. This effect, measurable up to 20 dB, is most pronounced within 10 mm, impacting hearing aid performance.
Area of Science:
- Acoustics
- Audiology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Hearing aids can be susceptible to acoustic feedback.
- Telephone handset proximity can exacerbate feedback issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally and numerically investigate hearing aid feedback sensitivity to telephone handset proximity.
- To quantify the change in open-loop transfer function with varying handset distances.
Main Methods:
- Measurements were taken using three modified hearing aids mounted on a mannikin.
- The open-loop transfer function was measured as a function of handset proximity.
- Numerical simulations were performed using the boundary element technique.
Main Results:
- Acoustic feedback sensitivity increased by over 20 dB as the handset approached the hearing aid.
- The majority of this feedback increase occurred within the first 10 mm of separation.
- Numerical calculations closely matched experimental measurements.
Conclusions:
- Hearing aid feedback is highly sensitive to the proximity of a telephone handset.
- Understanding this phenomenon is crucial for improving hearing aid design and user experience.
- The boundary element method is a valid tool for simulating these acoustic effects.