title: Real-ear output measures of ear level fluency devices.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to measure real-ear aided and saturated responses of SpeechEasy™ devices and compare responses while devices delivered altered auditory feedback (AAF) and non-altered feedback (NAF).
  
  
  METHODS
  A repeated measures quasi-experimental design was employed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten people fitted with completely-in-the-canal or open fit behind-the-ear devices participated. Probe microphone measures were obtained with speech, and 17 chirp stimuli presented at 75 dB and 85 dB SPL, respectively. Measurements were compared with devices delivering AAF (i.e. delayed and frequency shifted) versus NAF.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Maximum outputs were approximately 100-105 dB SPL in the 2000-4000 Hz range. Statistically significant differences in device SPL output as a function of device setting (AAF vs. NAF) were found for seven chirp stimuli (p <.05) when levels were sampled at points that were not temporally aligned with the output chirps but not for speech stimulus (p = .17). Device output varied across individuals and with open fit devices dominated by ear canal resonance effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Real-ear aided responses were equivalent with speech input when devices delivered AAF and NAF. Real-ear saturated responses were not, however, comparable between AAF and NAF settings and may be underestimated if AAF delay is not accounted for.
authors: Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 27858-4353, USA. stuarta@ecu.edu
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: Stuart
authors: Alyson K
authors: AK
authors: Butler
authors: Sherri M
authors: SM
authors: Jones
authors: Timothy A
authors: TA
authors: Jones
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000162:Acoustics / Q000295:instrumentation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D012048:Correction of Hearing Impairment / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005246:Feedback; D005260:Female; D006310:Hearing Aids; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019986:Persons with Hearing Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011312:Pressure; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013018:Sound Spectrography; D013067:Speech Perception; D014160:Transducers, Pressure; D055815:Young Adult