Own-Voice Perception with Different Processing Delays in Open-Fit Hearing Aids

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Acoustics
• Psychoacoustics

Background:

• Open-fit hearing aids (HAs) can cause coloration due to sound interactions.
• Own-voice perception is crucial for HA user acceptance.
• Processing delay significantly impacts perceived sound quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if shorter processing delays are preferred in open-fit HAs.
• To investigate the effect of processing delay on own-voice perception dimensions.
• To assess if spectral discrimination predicts delay preference.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-four participants with mild-to-moderate hearing impairment used prototype receiver-in-the-canal HAs.
• Processing delays of 0.5, 5, and 10 ms were compared using paired-comparison tasks.
• Own-voice perception was evaluated using a questionnaire, and spectral discrimination was assessed via an SRD task.

Main Results:

• The 0.5 ms processing delay was significantly preferred over longer delays.
• Shorter delays (0.5 ms) resulted in better ratings for tonality and own-voice quality compared to 10 ms.
• Spectral discrimination abilities did not predict the preference for shorter delays.

Conclusions:

• Optimizing processing delay is key for improving own-voice perception in open-fit HAs.
• A processing delay of 0.5 ms offers a better perceptual outcome for users.
• Further research can explore other factors influencing HA sound quality.