Short-term and long-term hearing aid benefit and user satisfaction: a comparison between two fitting protocols

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Hearing Science
• Speech-Language Pathology

Background:

• Current hearing aid fitting protocols often include speech-in-noise testing and loudness measures.
• The impact of these specific measures on hearing aid benefit and user satisfaction remains unclear.
• Optimizing hearing aid fitting protocols is crucial for improving audiological outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effects of two hearing aid fitting protocols on hearing aid benefit and user satisfaction.
• To evaluate the influence of incorporating speech-in-noise testing and advanced loudness measures into a standard fitting protocol.

Main Methods:

• Two hearing aid fitting protocols were compared: Protocol A (electroacoustic analysis, real-ear measures, user feedback) and Protocol B (Protocol A plus speech-in-noise testing, loudness discomfort levels, aided loudness).
• Thirty-two participants were fitted and assessed using the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) and Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Life (SADL) at 45 days and three months.
• Hearing aid adjustments and audiological outcomes were recorded for both groups.

Main Results:

• Fewer hearing aid adjustments were required for participants fitted with Protocol B compared to Protocol A.
• Despite similar final amplification gains between groups, Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Life (SADL) scores declined over time for Protocol A participants.
• Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) scores remained comparable across both protocols.

Conclusions:

• Incorporating speech-in-noise testing and comprehensive loudness measures into hearing aid fitting protocols may lead to greater long-term user satisfaction.
• Protocol B, which included advanced audiological assessments, demonstrated a potential advantage in maintaining user satisfaction over time.
• Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the benefits of specific audiological measures in hearing aid fitting protocols.