Evaluation of the NAL-NL1 and DSL v4.1 prescriptions for children: Preference in real world use

Abstract

Abstract

This paper reports real world preferences of children in a double-blind, cross-over trial comparing NAL-NL1 and DSL v.4.1 prescriptions. Twenty-four children wore digital WDRC hearing aids at each site (Australia, Canada). Multi-memory hearing aids provided the NAL and DSL programs in each of two memories. Diaries were completed during two counterbalanced trials, providing overall preference, situational preference, and preference comments. Ratings were reliable, and situational preferences factored into quiet/low level situations versus noisy/reverberant/high level situations. Children at both sites used DSL v4.1 for hearing low level speech, or when they wanted to hear loudly and clearly. Children used NAL-NL1 when they wished to hear sounds at a lower level, or to reduce background noise. Children expressed strong preferences for having the choice of both programs. Canadian children were more likely to prefer DSL than were the Australian children. Factors such as listening environment and prior listening experience are discussed in interpreting these findings.

Sumario

Este trabajo reporta las preferencias de los niños en el mundo real, en un estudio cruzado, doble-ciego que compara las prescripciones NAL-NL1 y DSL v4.1. Veinticuatro niños de dos sitios (Australia, Canada) utilizaron auxiliares auditivos digitales con WDRC. Los auxiliares auditivos con multi-memoria contaban con los programas NAL y DSL en dos de sus memorias. Se completaron diarios durante dos ensayos balanceados que proporcionaban información sobre la prefer-encia general, la preferencia situacional y comentarios sobre la preferencia. Las puntuaciones fueron confiables y la preferencia situacional se clasificaron en situación silente/nivel bajo versus situación ruidosa/reverberante/nivel alto. Los niños de ambos lugares utilizaron DSL v4.1 para escuchar el habla a intensidad baja o cuando querían escuchar alto y claro. Los niños expresaron una fuerte preferencia por poder tener la opción de ambos programas. Los niños canadienses tendieron a preferir DSL más que los niños australianos. Factores como el ambiente sonoro y las experiencias auditivas previas se discuten y se interpretan los hallazgos.

Key Words:

• hearing aids
• hearing loss
• children
• NAL
• DSL
• cross-over studies
• double-blind methods
• qualitative research
• choice behavior
• preference
• noise
• speech perception
• loudness perception

Acknowledgements

Support for this work was provided by the Oticon Foundation and the Cooperative Research Centre for Cochlear Implant and Hearing Aid Innovation. The authors thank Sherina Samuel for her participation in this project, Mary Power for her assistance in performing the qualitative analyses, and Christine Meston, Marlene Bagatto, Sheila Moodie, Kelley Keene, and Jacob Sulkers for assistance with manuscript preparation. We also gratefully thank all of the children and their families for their participation in this study.

Notes

1. Computed as ka/m where m = the total number of contrasts, and k = the sort order of the present contrast.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.