Directivity and noise reduction in hearing aids: speech perception and benefit.
Hearing aid.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the performance, benefit and satisfaction of users of ITE, CIC and BTE digital hearing aid with noise reduction and omnidirectional and directional microphones.


METHODS
34 users of hearing aid were evaluated by means of speech perception in noise tests and APHAB and IOI self assessment questionnaires. Prospective study.


RESULTS
Better results were obtained by users of ITE, CIC and directional hearing aids, however, no statistical significance was found between the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Directivity improved speech perception in noise and benefit in daily life situations.
Quintino
Camila Angélica
CA
University of São Paulo.
Mondelli
Maria Fernanda Capoani Garcia
MF
Ferrari
Déborah Viviane
DV
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000669:Amplifiers, Electronic; D006310:Hearing Aids; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009622:Noise / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D013067:Speech Perception; D013069:Speech Reception Threshold Test; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult