Determining fitting ranges of various bone conduction hearing aids

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Hearing device technology
• Biomedical engineering

Background:

• Maximum Power Output (MPO) is crucial for fitting bone conduction devices (BCDs), determining their highest output level and fitting range.
• Skull simulators can verify MPO for percutaneous BCDs, but not for active or passive transcutaneous devices.
• Defining fitting ranges requires accurate MPO assessment across different BCD types.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish fitting ranges for nine bone conduction devices (BCDs) at various frequencies based on their Maximum Power Output (MPO).
• To validate the method of assessing BCD MPO using in-ear measurements.
• To compare MPO across different types of bone conduction devices.

Main Methods:

• Assessed the MPO of nine distinct BCDs using real-ear measurements and/or skull simulator measurements.
• Employed the Bland-Altman method for cross-validation of the MPO assessment techniques.
• Defined fitting ranges based on collected MPO data across seven frequencies.

Main Results:

• Percutaneous BCDs demonstrated higher MPO levels than active and passive transcutaneous devices, offering a wider dynamic hearing range.
• Real-ear measurement assessment of MPO was validated, providing a reliable method for transcutaneous devices.
• Fitting ranges were successfully defined for the nine BCDs studied.

Conclusions:

• Established fitting ranges for nine bone conduction devices (BCDs) across seven frequencies using MPO data.
• Validated real-ear measurements as a method for assessing BCD MPO.
• Highlighted differences in MPO between percutaneous and transcutaneous BCDs, impacting fitting and dynamic range.