Probe-Tube Microphone Measures of Vent Effects With In-the-Canal Hearing Aid Shells

The acoustic effects of three different configurations of vented in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aid shells were investigated. Real-ear sound pressure level measures (200-2000 Hz) were obtained from unvented and vented ITC shells from 12 adult subjects. In general, with increasing vent size, an increase in the amount of low-frequency reduction and an upward shift in vent kneepoints and vent-associated resonance occurred. The use of venting may be considered clinically for low-frequency reduction in ITC hearing aid frequency responses.