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Original Article

Relative benefits of linear analogue and advanced digital hearing aids

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Pages 144-155 | Received 21 May 2002, Accepted 13 Mar 2003, Published online: 07 Jul 2009
 

Abstract

Speech recognition performance and self-reported benefitfrom linear analogue and advanced (digital) hearing aidswere compared in 100 first-time hearing aid users withmild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss fitted monaurally with a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid in a single-blind randomized crossover trial. Subjects usedeach aid for 5 weeks in turn, with aid order balancedacross subjects. Three alternative models of digital hearing aid were assigned to subjects according to a balanceddesign. Aid type was disguised to keep subjects blind within practical limitations. Aided speech recognition performance in noise was measured at speech levels of 65 and 75 dB at a speech-to-noise ratio (SNR) of _2 dB forclosed sets of single words. Self-rated benefit was measured using the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) and the Glasgow Hearing Aid Benefit Profile (GHABP). Quality of life, hearing aid use and user preferences were also assessed. Speech recognition scores with the digital aids were significantly better at 75 dB than with the analogue aids. Self-reported benefit (APHAB, GHABP) and improvement in quality of life were generally not significantly different between analogue and digital aids, although aversiveness measured with the APHAB was significantly lower with digital aids,and satisfaction measured with the GHABP was greater. The digital aids were preferred significantly more often than the analogue aids, with 61 subjects choosing their digital aid, 26 choosing the analogue aid, and nine being equivocal. Overall, this study shows advantages for advanced digital over simple linear analogue aids interms of both objective and subjective outcomes, although average differences are not large.

Sumario

Se comparó el desempeño para el reconocimiento del lenguaje y los beneficios relatados por 100 nuevos usuarios de auxiliares auditivos analógicos y digitales, con hipoacusia leve a moderada con curvetas monoaurales,en un estudio cruzado, aleatorio simple ciego. Los sujetos utilizaron cada auxiliar auditivo durante 5 semanas, con orden balanceado entre ellos. Se asignaron tres modelos alternativos de auxiliares digitales a los sujetos, conapego al diseño previsto. Se encubrió el tipo de auxiliar auditivo para evitar que los usuarios lo reconocieran. Se midió el reconocimiento del lenguaje en ruido, con amplificación, a niveles de lenguaje de 65 y 75 dB con una relación señal/ruido (SNR) de +2 dB, usando palabras sencillas en contexto cerrado. El beneficio autoevaluado se midió utilizando el Perfil Abreviado del Beneficio de Auxiliares Auditivos (APHAB) y el Perfil de Beneficio de Auxiliares Auditivos de Glasgow (GHABP). También seevaluaron la calidad de vida, el uso del auxiliar auditivo y las preferencias del usuario. La puntuación del reconocimiento del lenguaje a 75 dB, fue significativamentemejor con el auxiliar auditivo digital que con elanalógico. No hubo diferencia significativa entre ambos auxiliares auditivos, en el beneficio relatado (APHAB,GABP) o en la calidad de vida, aunque la aversiónmedida con el APHAB fue significativamente menor con los auxiliares digitales al igual que la satisfacción medidacon el GHABP. Hubo una preferencia significativa porlos auxiliares digitales; 61 sujetos eligieron los digitales,26 los analógicos y nueve no mostraron preferencia. Engeneral este estudio demuestra ventajas de los auxiliares auditivos digitales avanzados sobre los analógicos lineales, tanto en resultados subjetivos como objetivos, aunque las diferencias promedio no son muy grandes.

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