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A comparison of threshold-based fitting strategies for nonlinear hearing aids
P G Stelmachowicz1, S Dalzell, D Peterson
1Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, Nebraska 68131, USA.
Ear and Hearing
|April 30, 1998
Summary
This study found that a manufacturer's hearing aid fitting algorithm more closely matched experienced users' gain settings than DSL or FIG6. However, audibility for speech may be insufficient for some hearing-impaired children with this algorithm.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Hearing Science
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Wide dynamic range compression (WDRC) hearing aids are increasingly used.
- Subjective loudness growth measures optimize WDRC fitting but are not feasible for all populations.
- Threshold-based fitting procedures are needed for nonlinear hearing aids.
Purpose of the Study:
- Compare fitting recommendations of DSL 4.0 and FIG6 threshold-based procedures with satisfied adult hearing aid users' gain settings.
- Evaluate audibility of speech using loudness growth-derived settings for potential pediatric application.
Main Methods:
- Forty-nine adults with mild to severe sensorineural hearing loss participated.
- Loudness growth measures optimized WDRC hearing aid fit.
- Compared use gain with gain from DSL, FIG6, and manufacturer's algorithm.
Main Results:
- DSL and FIG6 prescribed significantly more gain than adult users' actual settings, especially at higher frequencies.
- Manufacturer's algorithm provided a closer approximation to use gain.
- Aided Audibility Index (AAI) indicated adequate speech intelligibility for most conditions, but less so for low-context speech.
Conclusions:
- DSL and FIG6 gain recommendations exceeded those used by adult hearing aid wearers.
- Manufacturer's algorithm better approximated use gain for adults unable to perform loudness judgments.
- AAI suggests potential audibility limitations for prelingually hearing-impaired children with moderate or greater hearing loss using the manufacturer's algorithm.