A double blind cross-over study of high-frequency emphasis hearing aids in individuals with noise-induced hearing...

This study compared the benefits of a high-frequency emphasis hearing aid and a more conventional, flatter response aid. Subjects with moderate noise-induced hearing loss were fitted binaurally within a double blind procedure. Each aid type was worn for 1 month, during which the subjects completed diaries concerning their problems in various listening situations. At the end of each month, a satisfaction questionnaire was completed and free field assessment, consisting of speech in noise discrimination measurement and warble tone threshold determinations, was performed. Results indicated that although there were few significant differences found between the aids using any of the assessment techniques, the subjects generally preferred the aid with the high-frequency emphasis.