[The importance of hearing-aid testing by the otorhinolaryngologist]

In a period of 16 months, 312 patients suffering from impaired hearing were supplied with hearing aids after undergoing conventional hearing tests conducted by acousticians. During the hearing follow-up tests, it was found that 111 patients (35.5%) had been optimally supplied with hearing aids and that for 98 hard-of-hearing persons (31.4%) merely fine adjustments had to be made on the hearing aids. In some cases a second bore had to be drilled into the ear mould. We had to completely refit 103 patients (33.0%) with hearing aids, since the previously fitted devices no longer complied with the type and degree of a hearing impairment based on the frequency characteristics, amplification, and dynamic range. The fitting reports had not been filled out satisfactorily in the case of 224 patients (71.8%). This was especially true of the stereophonic adjustment reports.