On the evaluation of a new generation of hearing aids

Hearing aids with new technological features offer the promise of novel speech-processing and loudness-control capabilities. Full exploitation and assessment of these capabilities will call for the acceptance of fitting and evaluation strategies different from those currently used for traditional linear hearing aids. Until an appropriate set of procedures comes into relatively widespread use, it will be difficult to draw definitive conclusions about the desirability and effectiveness of the new options in amplification systems. This paper reviews some of the issues that should be considered as new evaluation procedures are explored.