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Preferred listening levels for linear and slow-acting compression hearing aids
A C Neuman1, M H Bakke, S Hellman
1Center for Research in Speech and Hearing Sciences, Graduate School, City University of New York, USA.
Ear and Hearing
|August 1, 1995
Summary
Preferred listening levels for hearing aids closely align with most comfortable loudness (MCL), typically within 5 dB. Hearing aid gain should target MCL for most inputs, with slight adjustments for varying noise and listener dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Hearing Aid Technology
Background:
- Understanding user preferences for hearing aid amplification is crucial for effective audiological rehabilitation.
- Most comfortable listening level (MCL) and preferred listening level (PLL) are key metrics for hearing aid fitting, but their relationship under varying conditions is not fully elucidated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between most comfortable listening level (MCL) and preferred listening levels (PLL) in hearing aid users.
- To examine how linear and slow-acting compression hearing aids, along with speech and noise variations, influence this relationship.
Main Methods:
- Simulated six hearing aids with varying compression ratios (1:1 to 10:1) using a digital system.
- Presented speech in three noise types (vent, apartment, cafeteria) at different input levels (55, 70, 85 dB SPL).
- Recruited 20 listeners with sensorineural hearing loss, categorized by dynamic range (<30 dB or >30 dB), to measure MCL and PLL.
Main Results:
- On average, preferred listening levels were within 5 dB of most comfortable loudness (MCL).
- Dynamic range, noise type, and input level showed small but significant effects on the deviation of PLL from MCL.
- Listeners with smaller dynamic ranges preferred levels slightly below MCL, while those with larger ranges preferred levels slightly above MCL.
Conclusions:
- Hearing aid gain should be set to position output within 5 dB of MCL.
- Optimal hearing aid gain should approximate MCL for low/medium inputs and be slightly above MCL for high inputs.
- Mild compression ratios and gain strategies targeting MCL for 70 dB speech input are recommended for slow-acting compression hearing aids.