Real-world benefit from directional microphone hearing aids.
This article summarizes data from a 3-year, double-blinded study of directional hearing aid benefit. Ninety-four subjects in three hearing loss groups, all previous users of omnidirectional output-compression hearing aids, completed all aspects of the study. Participants were fit with new hearing aids for 1 month in a directional mode and 1 month in an omnidirectional mode. Following 1 month of use, subjects completed a number of objective and subjective measures of hearing aid outcome. Objective and subjective data were analyzed across hearing aid and hearing loss conditions. Subjects in all hearing loss groups exhibited better performance in the directional conditions for objective speech-in-noise measures; however, subjective data did not indicate a clear advantage for directional amplification. Results and clinical implications are discussed.
Gnewikow
David
D
Advanced Hearing Solutions-Audiology, 1002 Pleasant Grove Place, Suite C, Mount Juliet, TN 37122, USA. docg@hearlife.org
Ricketts
Todd
T
Bratt
Gene W
GW
Mutchler
Laura C
LC
D000162:Acoustics / Q000295:instrumentation; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004867:Equipment Design; D006310:Hearing Aids; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D017060:Patient Satisfaction