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[What improvements can be gained by additional boring in hearing aid fitting?]
F J Brügel1, K Schorn, R Hofer
1Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenkranke, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München.
Laryngo- Rhino- Otologie
|February 1, 1992
Summary
Venting earmolds has minimal impact on hearing aid performance, including speech clarity. Patients may perceive benefits due to enhanced low-frequency sound perception, improving hearing comfort.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Hearing aid technology
- Acoustics
Context:
- Subjective patient reports of improved hearing after earmold venting are common.
- Previous research found no objective benefits in insertion gain or speech intelligibility.
- This study investigates the effects of venting using the most comfortable hearing level.
Purpose:
- To objectively assess the acoustic effects of earmold venting.
- To correlate venting with audiological measures like insertion gain and speech intelligibility.
- To explore the influence of venting on sound perception at the most comfortable listening level.
Summary:
- Earmold venting showed minimal effects across all frequencies when measured at the most comfortable hearing level.
- No significant changes were observed in insertion gain or speech intelligibility in noise.
- The study suggests subjective improvements may stem from direct low-frequency sound transmission via the vent.
Impact:
- Provides objective data on the limited acoustic impact of earmold venting.
- Challenges the assumption of widespread audiological benefits from venting.
- Suggests a potential mechanism for perceived comfort related to low-frequency audibility.