Hearing aid manipulation skills in an elderly population: a comparison of ITE, BTE, and ITC aids

In-the-ear, in-the-canal and behind-the-ear hearing aids were compared for ease of management by elderly people. Two hundred and forty-four clients were randomly assigned to be fitted with one aid type, and rated for ability to perform the manipulative tasks necessary to enable effective use of the aid. It was found that in-the-ear aids were easiest to use, that females experienced greater difficulties in manipulation than males and that some tasks were easier to perform and more quickly learned than others. The findings are discussed in terms of design requirements and aid fitting practices.