Measuring the real-ear to coupler difference transfer function with an insert earphone and a hearing instrument: are they the same?
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was to compare the real-ear to coupler difference (RECD) measured with an insert earphone and two models of hearing instrument.


METHODS
The RECD was obtained from one ear of 18 normal-hearing subjects by subtracting the 2-cc coupler (HA1 and HA2) response from a real-ear aided response, using a conventional probe-tube microphone system. The measurements were made with a conventional ER-3A earphone and two models of behind-the-ear hearing instrument (Unitron US80, Unitron, Kitchener, Canada; and Widex Diva, Widex, Vaerloese, Denmark).


RESULTS
The procedures were very reliable, with mean differences on retest of less than 1 dB. There were statistically significant differences between the mean RECDs obtained using an insert earphone compared with those obtained with each hearing instrument (p < 0.05). The differences were greatest when using the HA2 2-cc coupler. For example, the maximum difference in mean RECD between the insert earphone and the Widex Diva was 6 dB and 11 dB when using the HA1 and the HA2 2-cc coupler, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The RECD is dependent on the acoustic impedance of the sound source, the coupling system, and the coupler and ear. The acoustic impedance may be different for an insert earphone and a given hearing instrument. Therefore, the RECD measured with an insert earphone may not always accurately represent the difference in performance of a hearing instrument measured in the real ear and the 2-cc coupler.
Munro
Kevin J
KJ
School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom.
Toal
Sinead
S
D000158:Acoustic Impedance Tests / Q000379:methods; D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000328:Adult; D001299:Audiometry / Q000295:instrumentation; D001309:Auditory Threshold; D004424:Ear Canal; D005260:Female; D006310:Hearing Aids; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male