Comparison of real-ear to coupler difference values in the right and left ear of hearing aid users.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare real-ear to coupler difference (RECD) values in the right and left ear of hearing aid users.


METHODS
RECDs were obtained from both ears of 16 adults, 17 school-age children, and 11 preschool children using the Audioscan Verifit real-ear microphone system.


RESULTS
In 80 to 90% of participants, the difference between ears was generally <3 dB at 0.5 to 4 kHz.


CONCLUSIONS
In hearing aid users with nonoccluding wax and normal middle ear function, the difference in RECD between the right and left ear is small and probably not clinically significant.
Munro
Kevin J
KJ
School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom. kevin.j.munro@man.ac.uk
Howlin
Elaine M
EM
D000158:Acoustic Impedance Tests; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006310:Hearing Aids; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012016:Reference Values; D013018:Sound Spectrography; D055815:Young Adult