Multiple memory hearing aid. Consistency of program-usage in real-world listening situations.
The aim of this study was to assess the repeatability of the program-usage in everyday listening situations. A blind field test was used. The Widex Quattro (WQ) system served as a model for multiple memory hearing aids (linear amplification) Eleven experienced WQ wearers (41-73 years) with mild to moderate, recruiting, cochlear hearing losses participated. Eight of them regularly used all four available programs (all used at least three programs). The participants stated in duplicate the best hearing aid program in 15 real-world listening situations. The percentage of subjects who selected identical programs (repeatability) surpassed the level corresponding to pure guess under almost all listening conditions (14). Maximum repeatability (100%) was achieved by the five subjects who visited an industrial environment twice. Interestingly, the repeatability exceeded 70% in demanding listening situations such as: party, conversation in group, etc. Support for this high repeatability was given by a distinct improvement in the mean aided speech-to-noise threshold (3.7 dB, p < 0.005).
Berninger
E
E
Department of Audiology, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge University Hospital, Sweden. Erik.Berninger@aud.hs.sll.se
Nordström
I
I
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D012048:Correction of Hearing Impairment / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006310:Hearing Aids; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013067:Speech Perception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires