Clinical evaluation of a two-channel amplitude compression hearing aid

Twelve experienced hearing aid users with mild to moderate hearing loss used two new, commercially available behind-the-ear amplitude compression hearing aids for 1 month each. One aid was a single-channel device; the other was a two-channel aid. All subjects had used other compression aids for at least 1 year. Performance in real-life situations with the personal aid and the two trial aids was evaluated by the Hearing Performance Inventory (HPI). Another questionnaire probed subjective preference for the three aids and willingness to purchase each of the trial aids. The major HPI finding was an equal performance superiority for the two trial aids over the personal aid for half the subjects. The preference/purchase questionnaire results indicated that the two-channel aid had some sound quality advantages, but was unacceptable physically. The single-channel trial was clearly preferred over the personal and two-channel device.