Pilot Comparison of Adjustment Protocols of Personal Sound Amplification Products

Abstract

The Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2017 was signed into law in August 2017 and facilitates the introduction of direct-to-consumer sales of hearing aids for adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. Among many questions surrounding over-the-counter sales is the ability of users to self-fit amplification. Many studies have conducted self-fitting procedures using guidance materials provided by audiologists. In this pilot, we explore the ability of users to self-adjust personal sound amplification devices using only materials provided by the manufacturer and contrast this with models that involve a hearing professional. Outcomes to assess adjustments included clinic-based speech-in-noise measures and ability to approximate NAL-NL2 prescriptive targets. We found that an audiologist-driven model provided the best outcomes. However, it is unknown if the difference is clinically meaningful.

Effectiveness of a Self-Fitting Tool for User-Driven Fitting of Hearing Aids

“…Likewise, Perry, et al [42] found that some different algorithms for self-fitting of the Ear Machine app may reduce speech intelligibility. Additionally, a study by Oliver, et al [8] showed that the audiologist protocol gave better fitting results, based on the NAL-NL2 prescription procedure [43], than the two user-driven protocols.…”

“…According to the abovementioned studies [8,41,43], the use of smart devices for selftuning is highlighted, although cautiousness is needed for the elderly, who are less efficient in the use of technology and some do not even use smartphones. Moreover, these studies have highlighted the factor of confidence in one's ability to set the hearing aid to the optimal fitting value.…”

“…Many users thus felt more confident if they were under control and were guided personally through the setting by someone, or at least checked to see if they had completed it successfully and if the setting was correct. There has also been a visible demand for an understandable, accessible, and intuitive user interface that would allow for a more successful user-driven protocol [8,[41][42][43] This protocol should ideally be applicable for all types of hearing loss and all types of HAs.…”

“…Sensorineural hearing impairment encompasses decreased sensitivity, dynamic range, frequency resolution, and temporal resolution. These elementary deficits are associated with speech and other kinds of sound being less intelligible and less easy to recognize, especially in noisy environments [8][9][10]. A loss of hearing is linked with numerous healthcare issues, such as depression, loneliness, cognitive decline, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and falls [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18].…”

An Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Clinical Trial in Rural Alabama: Project Design and Potential Implications for Pharmacy and Audiology Interprofessional Collaborations

“…Prior evidence has suggested that adults can significantly benefit from hearing aids provided through a consumer-driven model where they select and fit their own devices [ 17 , 18 , 19 ]. Specifically, word understanding, social interactions, and emotional well-being significantly increased after these consumer driven devices were provided.…”