Venting Corrections Improve the Accuracy of Coupler-Based Simulated Real-Ear Verification for Use with Adult Hearing Aid Fittings

Abstract

Background: Hearing aid responses can be verified with the Real Ear Aided Response (REAR). Procedures for predicting the REAR from coupler-based verification exist, but have not incorporated corrections for venting, limiting their use and validity for vented and open fittings. A commercially-available system for including venting effects in simulated real-ear measurement (S-REM) has recently been developed. Purpose: To evaluate the accuracy of a vent-corrected S-REM for predicting the REAR across test levels, for fittings with a wide range of coupling styles including modular domes. Research design: This was a within-subjects comparison study using technical measures. Retrospective file review was used to obtain previously-measured REARs from 104 fittings in 52 adults and three hearing aid styles. Prospective data collection was used to re-measure each fitting at three test levels using S-REM with and without venting corrections. Comparison of differences by frequency band were performed to assess the impact of the venting correction. Results: The vent model reduced low-frequency error by up to 11 dB, and the effects were consistent with the expected effects of venting in hearing aid fitting: fittings with more open dome or tip styles had a larger improvement when the vent model was added. A larger sample of fittings was obtained for dome/sleeve couplings than for custom fittings. Conclusions: The vent-corrected S-REM system evaluated in this study provides improved fitting accuracy for dome or sleeve-fitted hearing aids for adults and supports the use of vented S-REM for open fittings. Further study to examine a representative sample of custom tip or mold fittings, and fittings for children are future directions.

Task-Dependent Effects of Signal Audibility for Processing Speech: Comparing Performance With NAL-NL2 and DSL v5 Hearing Aid Prescriptions at Threshold and at Suprathreshold Levels in 9- to 17-Year-Olds With Hearing Loss

“…To achieve the 40 dB SPL presentation level, which is lower than the minimum setting provided by the analyzer (50 dB SPL), the file name of a separate but identical set of stimuli included a modifier (e.g., −10) which the analyzer interpreted and applied to the presentation level selected during testing. The receivers of each device were connected to a 0.4 cc coupler and venting corrections appropriate for coupler-based simulated real-ear measures were applied (Scollie et al, 2022).…”