Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026
06:04
Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
Published on: March 24, 2023
A "Goldilocks" Approach to Hearing Aid Self-Fitting: Ear-Canal Output and Speech Intelligibility Index
Carol Mackersie1, Arthur Boothroyd1,2, Alexandra Lithgow1
1Audiology Division, School of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA.
Ear and Hearing
|June 13, 2018
Summary
Individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss can effectively self-adjust hearing aid settings for improved speech intelligibility. This study shows self-adjustment is feasible and beneficial, regardless of prior hearing aid experience, leading to better speech intelligibility index (SII) outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Hearing Science
Background:
- Mild to moderate hearing loss affects speech intelligibility.
- Hearing aid fitting aims to optimize audibility and speech understanding.
- User self-adjustment of hearing aids is an area of growing interest.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine self-adjusted output response and speech intelligibility index (SII) in individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss.
- To measure the effects of prior hearing aid experience on self-adjustment.
- To compare self-adjusted settings with prescriptive targets (NAL-NL2) and existing hearing aid performance.
Main Methods:
- Thirteen hearing aid users and 13 nonusers with similar hearing thresholds participated.
- Participants self-adjusted overall level, high-frequency boost, and low-frequency cut.
- Speech perception tests were conducted before and after adjustments; output levels and SIIs were computed.
Main Results:
- Self-adjustment significantly increased Speech Intelligibility Index (SII) in both groups, reaching near-prescription levels.
- Hearing aid users showed significant improvements in high-frequency output and SII after a speech perception test.
- The proportion of participants meeting an SII criterion of 60% increased from 65% to 88% after final self-adjustment.
Conclusions:
- User self-adjustment of basic hearing aid amplification characteristics is feasible and effective.
- This approach benefits individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss, irrespective of prior hearing aid use.
- Self-adjustment can lead to improved speech intelligibility outcomes compared to initial generic settings or existing hearing aids.
