Methods for comparing hearing-aid programs in group conversations: paired comparisons and ratings

Two methods, paired comparisons and ratings, were investigated when comparing two hearing-aid programs in live group conversations.

Two conversation scenarios were staged in an ordinary office setting. During the conversations, the participants either switched between two hearing-aid programs or used a fixed program. After each conversation, they rated hearing-aid function, ease to hear and speak, and the flow of the conversation.

Experienced hearing-aid users (n = 27) with moderate hearing loss who were fitted with binaural hearing aids with two directionality programs.

The methods showed consistent results: the program preferred in paired comparisons also received the highest function ratings when used as a fixed program. On a population level, the paired comparisons method was slightly more effective in finding differences between the programs. On an individual level, only the paired comparisons method revealed a difference between the hearing-aid programs. Conversation flow ratings were generally high for both methods.

Both psychophysical methods worked well for evaluating hearing-aid settings during live group conversations, and the results of the two methods generally agreed. The paired comparison method was slightly more effective in finding differences between the two hearing-aid settings. Ratings of conversation flow were generally high for both methods.