title: Evaluation of the NAL-NL1 and DSL v4.1 prescriptions for children: Preference in real world use.
abstract: This paper reports real world preferences of children in a double-blind, cross-over trial comparing NAL-NL1 and DSL v.4.1 prescriptions. Twenty-four children wore digital WDRC hearing aids at each site (Australia, Canada). Multi-memory hearing aids provided the NAL and DSL programs in each of two memories. Diaries were completed during two counterbalanced trials, providing overall preference, situational preference, and preference comments. Ratings were reliable, and situational preferences factored into quiet/low level situations versus noisy/reverberant/high level situations. Children at both sites used DSL v4.1 for hearing low level speech, or when they wanted to hear loudly and clearly. Children used NAL-NL1 when they wished to hear sounds at a lower level, or to reduce background noise. Children expressed strong preferences for having the choice of both programs. Canadian children were more likely to prefer DSL than were the Australian children. Factors such as listening environment and prior listening experience are discussed in interpreting these findings.
authors.affiliation: National Centre for Audiology, School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Faculty of Hearing Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada. scollie@nca.uwo.ca
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scollie
authors.forename: Teresa Y C
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Ching
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Seewald
authors.forename: Harvey
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dillon
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Britton
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Steinberg
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Corcoran
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001315:Australia; D002170:Canada; D002648:Child; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006310:Hearing Aids; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008499:Medical Records; D057240:Patient Preference; D055656:Prescriptions / Q000592:standards*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D055815:Young Adult