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Hearing aid saturation and aided loudness discomfort
1Argosy Electronics, Eden Prairie, MN.
Journal of Speech and Hearing Research
|February 1, 1992
Summary
Hearing aid loudness discomfort levels (LDL) differ from standard audiometer tests. Higher saturation sound pressure levels (SSPL90) in hearing aids result in higher LDLs and better sound quality.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Hearing Science
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Clinical loudness discomfort level (LDL) measurements typically use audiometer headphones (AUD-HP).
- A common assumption is that AUD-HP LDLs predict hearing aid (HA) LDLs.
- This assumption may overlook the impact of HA distortion on loudness perception.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if hearing aid saturation sound pressure level (SSPL90) influences LDL.
- To compare LDLs measured under aided conditions versus AUD-HP conditions.
- To assess the relationship between real-ear measurements and sound quality.
Main Methods:
- Five hearing-impaired subjects were fitted with four linear hearing aids of varying SSPL90.
- Probe-tube microphone measurements quantified ear canal sound pressure level (SPL) at LDL for both aided and AUD-HP conditions.
- Real-ear coherence and subjective sound quality judgments were evaluated near LDL.
Main Results:
- Mean LDLs were lower under aided conditions compared to AUD-HP.
- Hearing aids with higher SSPL90 yielded significantly higher LDLs.
- A negative correlation was observed between real-ear SPL and real-ear coherence; higher SSPL90 resulted in preferred sound quality.
Conclusions:
- Standard AUD-HP LDL measurements may not accurately predict aided LDLs.
- Hearing aid SSPL90 is a critical factor influencing LDL and perceived sound quality.
- Clinical fitting protocols should consider the impact of SSPL90 on LDL settings.