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Perception of Recorded Music With Hearing Aids: Compression Differentially Affects Musical Scene Analysis and Musical
Robin Hake1, Michel Bürgel1, Christophe Lesimple2
1Department of Medical Physics and Acoustics, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany.
Trends in Hearing
|August 25, 2025
Summary
Hearing aids improve music perception and sound quality for users with hearing loss. Different compression settings offer a trade-off between analyzing musical scenes and overall sound quality, highlighting personalized fitting needs.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Psychoacoustics
- Hearing Science
Background:
- Hearing aids primarily focus on speech, but users report poor music sound quality.
- The impact of hearing aid amplification on music perception remains under-researched.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how hearing aid amplification and dynamic range compression (DRC) settings affect musical scene analysis (MSA) and sound quality ratings (SQR).
- To assess speech reception thresholds in noise (SRT) alongside music perception.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-three hearing aid users with moderate to severe hearing loss were tested.
- Participants completed unaided, slow DRC, and fast DRC conditions using polyphonic music.
- MSA, SQR, and SRT were measured for each condition.
Main Results:
- Hearing aids significantly improved MSA, SQR, and SRT compared to unaided listening.
- Fast DRC enhanced MSA (selective listening), while slow DRC improved SQR.
- Individual differences in benefit were substantial across settings and tasks.
Conclusions:
- Hearing aid use benefits music perception, but optimal settings vary.
- A trade-off exists between musical scene transparency (MSA) and perceived sound quality (SQR).
- Personalized hearing aid fitting strategies are crucial for music enjoyment.
Keywords:
Musical Scene Analysisauditory scene analysiscompressionhearing aidsmusicsound qualityspeechMore Related Videos
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