755
Views
3
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Article

The performance of an automatic acoustic-based program classifier compared to hearing aid users’ manual selection of listening programs

, , , &
Pages 201-212 | Received 03 Sep 2016, Accepted 01 Sep 2017, Published online: 25 Oct 2017
 

Abstract

Objective: To compare preference for and performance of manually selected programmes to an automatic sound classifier, the Phonak AutoSense OS. Design: A single blind repeated measures study. Participants were fit with Phonak Virto V90 ITE aids; preferences for different listening programmes were compared across four different sound scenarios (speech in: quiet, noise, loud noise and a car). Following a 4-week trial preferences were reassessed and the users preferred programme was compared to the automatic classifier for sound quality and hearing in noise (HINT test) using a 12 loudspeaker array. Study sample: Twenty-five participants with symmetrical moderate-severe sensorineural hearing loss. Results: Participant preferences of manual programme for scenarios varied considerably between and within sessions. A HINT Speech Reception Threshold (SRT) advantage was observed for the automatic classifier over participant’s manual selection for speech in quiet, loud noise and car noise. Sound quality ratings were similar for both manual and automatic selections. Conclusions: The use of a sound classifier is a viable alternative to manual programme selection.

Declaration of interest

D. Crowhen and M. Latzel are employees of Phonak, the manufacturer of the hearing aids tested in this study.

This research was funded by Phonak.

Supplementary material available online

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.