Comparison of Manufacturer Predicted and Measured REAR Values in Hearing Aid Fitting

Manish Kakkar, Master´s student (Clinical Audiology and Hearing Therapy) at SAERA, provides in his Master´s Thesis a literature search on comparison of manufacturer’s first fit and the fitting based on prescribed targets.

The hearing aid fitting procedure and his effect on self-perceived benefit will be also analysed.

Abstract

 

According to Audiology best practice guidelines, probe microphone verification measures should be performed to ensure that hearing aid gain and output characteristics meet prescribed targets for the individual hearing aid recipient. Past research has shown that the prescribed gain from a validated prescriptive method should be verified using a probe microphone approach that is referenced to ear canal SPL. However, majority of the hearing aid providers do not routinely conduct real-ear verification measures. The reasons most often cited for not performing probe microphone measures are based on financial, time, or space constraints. On the other hand, the manufacturer’s “initial fit” approach requires no additional equipment, space, or time.

 

Past research has also demonstrated close relationship between optimal fitting of hearing aids and subjective outcomes. The current document provides a literature search on comparison of manufacturer’s first fit and the fitting based on prescribed targets. We were also interested in examining if hearing aid fitting procedure has an effect on self-perceived benefit.

 

Click here to read the full article.

 

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