title: Clinical protocols for hearing instrument fitting in the Desired Sensation Level method.
abstract: A discussion of the protocols used particularly in the clinical application of the Desired Sensation Level (DSL) Method is presented in this chapter. In the first section, the measurement and application of acoustic transforms is described in terms of their importance in the assessment phase of the amplification fitting process. Specifically, the implications of individual ear canal acoustics and their impact on accurately defining hearing thresholds are discussed. Detailed information about the statistical strength of the real-ear-to-coupler difference (RECD) measurement and how to obtain the measure in young infants is also provided. In addition, the findings of a study that examined the relationship between behavioral and electrophysiologic thresholds in real-ear SPL is described. The second section presents information related to the electroacoustic verification of hearing instruments. The RECD is discussed in relation to its application in simulated measurements of real-ear hearing instrument performance. In particular, the effects of the transducer and coupling method during the RECD measurement are described in terms of their impact on verification measures. The topics of insertion gain, test signals, and venting are also considered. The third section presents three summary tables that outline the hearing instrument fitting process for infants, children, and adults. Overall, this chapter provides both clinical and scientific information about procedures used in the assessment and verification stages of the DSL Method.
authors.affiliation: National Centre for Audiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada NG6 1H1. Bagatto@nca.uwo.ca
authors.forename: Marlene
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bagatto
authors.forename: Sheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moodie
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scollie
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Seewald
authors.forename: Shane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moodie
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pumford
authors.forename: K P Rachel
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000158:Acoustic Impedance Tests; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D001309:Auditory Threshold; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D012048:Correction of Hearing Impairment; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000502:physiology*; D004867:Equipment Design; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem; D005260:Female; D006310:Hearing Aids; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D017755:Prosthesis Fitting / Q000379:methods; D012044:Regression Analysis