Real ear measurement methods for open fit hearing aids: Modified pressure concurrent equalization (MPCE) versus modified pressure stored equalization (MPSE)

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess differences between real ear insertion gains (REIG) measured with the modified pressure concurrent equalization (MPCE) and modified pressure stored equalization (MPSE) methods for open fittings in a typical audiology patient population. Design: REIGs were compared for the two methods using a warble tone sweep at 65 dB SPL. The differences between the two methods at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 kHz were recorded. Study sample: Eighty-three ears of a consecutive sample of 48 candidates for open-fit hearing aids were included. Results: The mean difference between MPSE and MPCE REIGs was less than 1 dB at all frequencies. Analysis of variance showed that the main effect of method was not significant, and there was no significant interaction between method and frequency. Conclusions: The results for the MPSE and MPCE methods did not differ significantly for the patients with mild-to-moderate hearing losses tested here, for whom REIGs were generally less than 20 dB. Further research is needed to identify the REIG values at which the differences between MPCE and MPSE methods become clinically significant.

Key Words::

• Open fit
• hearing aid
• real ear measurement
• real ear insertion gain

Acknowledgements

The work of author BCJM was supported by the MRC (UK). We thank two anonymous reviewers for helpful comments on an earlier version of this manuscript.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no declaration of interest.