Skip to main content
Top
Published in: European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology 1/2008

01-01-2008 | Review Article

Comparative studies on hearing aid selection and fitting procedures: a review of the literature

Authors: Mick Metselaar, Bert Maat, Hans Verschuure, Wouter A. Dreschler, Louw Feenstra

Published in: European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology | Issue 1/2008

Login to get access

Abstract

Although a large number of fitting procedures have been developed and are nowadays generally applied in modern hearing aid fitting technology, little is known about their effectiveness in comparison with each other. This paper argues the need for comparative validation studies on hearing aid fitting procedures based on the design of a randomized clinical trial and carried out in a large-scale clinical population. These studies are hard to conduct but can provide detailed information on the various aspects of the rehabilitation with hearing aids. The design of several recently reported comparative studies of hearing aid fitting procedures will be reviewed. This gives rise to a number of comments on aspects like, study design, composition of the study population and definition of outcome measures rather than on the outcome or conclusions of these studies themselves.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Alcántara JI, Moore BCJ, Marriage JE (2004) Comparison of three procedures for initial fitting of compression hearing aids. II. Experienced users, fitted unilaterally. Int J Audiol 43:3–14PubMedCrossRef Alcántara JI, Moore BCJ, Marriage JE (2004) Comparison of three procedures for initial fitting of compression hearing aids. II. Experienced users, fitted unilaterally. Int J Audiol 43:3–14PubMedCrossRef
2.
go back to reference American National Standard (ANSI) (1973) American national standard method for coupler calibration of earphones. S3.7-1973. Rev. 1986 American National Standard (ANSI) (1973) American national standard method for coupler calibration of earphones. S3.7-1973. Rev. 1986
3.
go back to reference Barton G, Bankart J, Davis A, Summerfield Q (2004) Comparing utility scores before and after hearing aid provision: results according to the EQ-5D, HUI3 and SF-6D. Appl Health Econ Health Policies 3:103–105CrossRef Barton G, Bankart J, Davis A, Summerfield Q (2004) Comparing utility scores before and after hearing aid provision: results according to the EQ-5D, HUI3 and SF-6D. Appl Health Econ Health Policies 3:103–105CrossRef
4.
go back to reference Bess FH (2000) The role of generic health-related quality of life measures in establishing audiological rehabilitation outcomes. Ear Hear 21(Suppl 4):74S–79SPubMedCrossRef Bess FH (2000) The role of generic health-related quality of life measures in establishing audiological rehabilitation outcomes. Ear Hear 21(Suppl 4):74S–79SPubMedCrossRef
5.
go back to reference Carhart R (1946) Tests for selection of hearing aids. Laryngoscope 56:780–794PubMed Carhart R (1946) Tests for selection of hearing aids. Laryngoscope 56:780–794PubMed
6.
go back to reference Cornelisse LE, Seewald RC, Jamieson DG (1995) The input/output formula: a theoretical approach to the fitting of personal amplification devices. J Acoust Soc Am 97:1854–1864PubMedCrossRef Cornelisse LE, Seewald RC, Jamieson DG (1995) The input/output formula: a theoretical approach to the fitting of personal amplification devices. J Acoust Soc Am 97:1854–1864PubMedCrossRef
7.
go back to reference Cox RM (2003) Assessment of subjective outcome of hearing aid fitting: getting the client’s point of view. Int J Audiol 42:S90–S96PubMed Cox RM (2003) Assessment of subjective outcome of hearing aid fitting: getting the client’s point of view. Int J Audiol 42:S90–S96PubMed
8.
9.
10.
go back to reference Dalton DS, Cruickshanks KJ, Klein BE, Klein R, Wiley TL, Nondahl DM (2003) The impact of hearing loss on quality of life in older adults. Gerontologist 43:661–668PubMed Dalton DS, Cruickshanks KJ, Klein BE, Klein R, Wiley TL, Nondahl DM (2003) The impact of hearing loss on quality of life in older adults. Gerontologist 43:661–668PubMed
11.
go back to reference Dreschler WA, Verschuure H, Ludvigsen C, Westermann S (2001) ICRA noises: artificial noise signals with speech-like spectral and temporal properties for hearing instrument assessment. International collegium for rehabilitative audiology. Audiology 40:148–157PubMed Dreschler WA, Verschuure H, Ludvigsen C, Westermann S (2001) ICRA noises: artificial noise signals with speech-like spectral and temporal properties for hearing instrument assessment. International collegium for rehabilitative audiology. Audiology 40:148–157PubMed
12.
go back to reference Feeny D, Furlong W, Boyle M, Torrance GW (1995) Multi-attribute health status classification systems. Health utilities index. Pharmacoeconomics 7:490–502PubMed Feeny D, Furlong W, Boyle M, Torrance GW (1995) Multi-attribute health status classification systems. Health utilities index. Pharmacoeconomics 7:490–502PubMed
13.
go back to reference Gatehouse S (1993) Hearing aid evaluation: limitations of present procedures and future requirements. J Speech Lang Pathol Audiol Monograph Suppl 1:50–57 Gatehouse S (1993) Hearing aid evaluation: limitations of present procedures and future requirements. J Speech Lang Pathol Audiol Monograph Suppl 1:50–57
14.
go back to reference Gatehouse S (1999) A self-report outcome measure for the evaluation of hearing aid fittings and services. Health Bull 57:424–436 Gatehouse S (1999) A self-report outcome measure for the evaluation of hearing aid fittings and services. Health Bull 57:424–436
15.
go back to reference Gatehouse S, Noble W (2004) The speech, spatial and qualities of hearing scale (ssq). Int J Audiol 43:85–99PubMedCrossRef Gatehouse S, Noble W (2004) The speech, spatial and qualities of hearing scale (ssq). Int J Audiol 43:85–99PubMedCrossRef
16.
go back to reference Gilson BS, Gilson JS, Bergner M, Bobbit RA, Kressel S, Pollard WE, Vessalago M (1975) The sickness impact profile: development of an outcome measure of health care. Am J Public Health 65:1304–1310PubMedCrossRef Gilson BS, Gilson JS, Bergner M, Bobbit RA, Kressel S, Pollard WE, Vessalago M (1975) The sickness impact profile: development of an outcome measure of health care. Am J Public Health 65:1304–1310PubMedCrossRef
17.
go back to reference Hagerman B (1982) Sentences for testing speech intelligibility in noise. Scand Audiol 13:57–63 Hagerman B (1982) Sentences for testing speech intelligibility in noise. Scand Audiol 13:57–63
18.
go back to reference Hagerman B (1984) Clinical measurements of speech reception threshold in noise. Scand Audiol 13:57–63PubMed Hagerman B (1984) Clinical measurements of speech reception threshold in noise. Scand Audiol 13:57–63PubMed
19.
go back to reference Haggard MP, Foster JR, Iredale FE (1981) Use and benefit of postaural aids in sensory hearing loss. Scand Audiol 10:45–52PubMed Haggard MP, Foster JR, Iredale FE (1981) Use and benefit of postaural aids in sensory hearing loss. Scand Audiol 10:45–52PubMed
20.
go back to reference Hamill TA, Barron TP (1992) Frequency response differences of four gain-equalized hearing aid prescription formulae. Audiology 31:87–94PubMed Hamill TA, Barron TP (1992) Frequency response differences of four gain-equalized hearing aid prescription formulae. Audiology 31:87–94PubMed
21.
go back to reference Hawkins D (1992) Prescriptive approaches to selection of gain and frequency response. In: Mueller HG, Hawkins DB, Northern JL (eds) Probe tube microphone measurements: hearing aid selection and assessment. Singular Publishing, San Diego Hawkins D (1992) Prescriptive approaches to selection of gain and frequency response. In: Mueller HG, Hawkins DB, Northern JL (eds) Probe tube microphone measurements: hearing aid selection and assessment. Singular Publishing, San Diego
22.
go back to reference Humes L, Hackett T (1990) Comparison of frequency response and aided speech-recognition performance for hearing aids selected by three different prescriptive methods. J Am Acad Audiol 1:101–108PubMed Humes L, Hackett T (1990) Comparison of frequency response and aided speech-recognition performance for hearing aids selected by three different prescriptive methods. J Am Acad Audiol 1:101–108PubMed
23.
go back to reference International Electrotechnical Commission (1973) IEC reference coupler for the measurement of hearing aids using earphones coupled to the ear by means of ear inserts, 2nd edn. IEC Publication 126, Geneva International Electrotechnical Commission (1973) IEC reference coupler for the measurement of hearing aids using earphones coupled to the ear by means of ear inserts, 2nd edn. IEC Publication 126, Geneva
24.
go back to reference International Electrotechnical Commission (1981) Occluded ear simulator for the measurement of earphones coupled to the ear by ear inserts. IEC publication 711, Geneva International Electrotechnical Commission (1981) Occluded ear simulator for the measurement of earphones coupled to the ear by ear inserts. IEC publication 711, Geneva
25.
go back to reference Joore MA, Brunenberg DE, Chenault MN, Antheunis LJ (2003) Societal effects of hearing aid fitting among the moderately hearing impaired. Int J Audiol 42:152–160PubMedCrossRef Joore MA, Brunenberg DE, Chenault MN, Antheunis LJ (2003) Societal effects of hearing aid fitting among the moderately hearing impaired. Int J Audiol 42:152–160PubMedCrossRef
26.
go back to reference Keidser G, Grant F (2001) Comparing loudness normalization (IHAFF) with speech intelligibility maximization (NAL-NL1) when implemented in a two-channel device. Ear Hear 22:501–515PubMedCrossRef Keidser G, Grant F (2001) Comparing loudness normalization (IHAFF) with speech intelligibility maximization (NAL-NL1) when implemented in a two-channel device. Ear Hear 22:501–515PubMedCrossRef
27.
go back to reference Kiessling J, Schubert M, Archut A (1996) Adaptive fitting of hearing instruments by category loudness scaling (ScalAdapt). Scand Audiol 25:153–160PubMed Kiessling J, Schubert M, Archut A (1996) Adaptive fitting of hearing instruments by category loudness scaling (ScalAdapt). Scand Audiol 25:153–160PubMed
28.
go back to reference Lunner T, Hellgren J, Arlinger S, Elberling C (1997) A digital filterbank hearing aid. Improving a prescriptive fitting with subjective adjustments. Scand Audiol 26:169–176PubMed Lunner T, Hellgren J, Arlinger S, Elberling C (1997) A digital filterbank hearing aid. Improving a prescriptive fitting with subjective adjustments. Scand Audiol 26:169–176PubMed
29.
go back to reference Marriage JE, Moore BCJ, Alcántara JI (2004) Comparison of three procedures for initial fitting of compression hearing aids. III. Inexperienced versus experienced users. Int J Audiol 43:198–210PubMedCrossRef Marriage JE, Moore BCJ, Alcántara JI (2004) Comparison of three procedures for initial fitting of compression hearing aids. III. Inexperienced versus experienced users. Int J Audiol 43:198–210PubMedCrossRef
30.
go back to reference MacLeod A, Summerfield Q (1990) A procedure for measuring auditory and audio-visual speech-reception thresholds for sentences in noise: rationale, evaluation, and recommendations for use. Br J Audiol 24:29–43PubMed MacLeod A, Summerfield Q (1990) A procedure for measuring auditory and audio-visual speech-reception thresholds for sentences in noise: rationale, evaluation, and recommendations for use. Br J Audiol 24:29–43PubMed
31.
go back to reference Moore BC, Alcántara JI, Glasberg BR (1998) Development and evaluation of a procedure for fitting multi-channel compression hearing aids. Br J Audiol 32:177–195PubMed Moore BC, Alcántara JI, Glasberg BR (1998) Development and evaluation of a procedure for fitting multi-channel compression hearing aids. Br J Audiol 32:177–195PubMed
32.
go back to reference Moore BCJ, Alcántara JI, Marriage JE (2001) Comparison of three procedures for initial fitting of compression hearing aids. I. Experienced users, fitted bilaterally. Br J Audiol 35:339–353PubMed Moore BCJ, Alcántara JI, Marriage JE (2001) Comparison of three procedures for initial fitting of compression hearing aids. I. Experienced users, fitted bilaterally. Br J Audiol 35:339–353PubMed
33.
go back to reference Moore BCJ, Marriage JE, Alcántara JI, Glasberg BR (2005) Comparison of two adaptive procedures for fitting a multi-channel compression hearing aid. Int J Audiol 44:345–357PubMedCrossRef Moore BCJ, Marriage JE, Alcántara JI, Glasberg BR (2005) Comparison of two adaptive procedures for fitting a multi-channel compression hearing aid. Int J Audiol 44:345–357PubMedCrossRef
34.
go back to reference Nilsson M, Soli SD, Sullivan JA (1994) Development of the hearing in noise test for the measurement of speech reception thresholds in quiet and in noise. J Acoust Soc Am 95:1085–1099PubMedCrossRef Nilsson M, Soli SD, Sullivan JA (1994) Development of the hearing in noise test for the measurement of speech reception thresholds in quiet and in noise. J Acoust Soc Am 95:1085–1099PubMedCrossRef
35.
go back to reference Parsons JO, Clark CR (2002) Comparison of an ‘intuitive’ NHS hearing aid prescription method with DSL 4.1 targets for amplification. Int J Audiol 41:357–362PubMed Parsons JO, Clark CR (2002) Comparison of an ‘intuitive’ NHS hearing aid prescription method with DSL 4.1 targets for amplification. Int J Audiol 41:357–362PubMed
36.
go back to reference Peters RW, Moore BC, Glasberg BR, Stone MA (2000) Comparison of the NAL-R and Cambridge formulae for the fitting of linear hearing aids. Br J Audiol 34:21–36PubMed Peters RW, Moore BC, Glasberg BR, Stone MA (2000) Comparison of the NAL-R and Cambridge formulae for the fitting of linear hearing aids. Br J Audiol 34:21–36PubMed
37.
go back to reference Plomp R, Mimpen AM (1979) Improving the reliability of testing the speech reception threshold for sentences. Audiology 18:43–52PubMed Plomp R, Mimpen AM (1979) Improving the reliability of testing the speech reception threshold for sentences. Audiology 18:43–52PubMed
38.
go back to reference Ricketts TA (1996) Fitting hearing aids to individual loudness-perception measures. Ear Hear 17:124–132PubMedCrossRef Ricketts TA (1996) Fitting hearing aids to individual loudness-perception measures. Ear Hear 17:124–132PubMedCrossRef
39.
go back to reference Sammeth CA, Peek BF, Bratt GW, Bess FH, Amberg SM (1993) Ability to achieve gain/frequency response and SSPL-90 under three prescription formulas with in-the-ear hearing aids. J Am Acad Audiol 4:33–41PubMed Sammeth CA, Peek BF, Bratt GW, Bess FH, Amberg SM (1993) Ability to achieve gain/frequency response and SSPL-90 under three prescription formulas with in-the-ear hearing aids. J Am Acad Audiol 4:33–41PubMed
40.
go back to reference Smeds K (2004) Is normal or less than normal overall loudness preferred by first-time hearing aid users? Ear Hear 25:159–172PubMedCrossRef Smeds K (2004) Is normal or less than normal overall loudness preferred by first-time hearing aid users? Ear Hear 25:159–172PubMedCrossRef
41.
go back to reference Stelmachowicz PG, Dalzell S, Peterson D, Kopun J, Lewis DE, Hoover BE (1998) A comparison of threshold-based strategies for nonlinear hearing aids. Ear Hear 19:131–138PubMedCrossRef Stelmachowicz PG, Dalzell S, Peterson D, Kopun J, Lewis DE, Hoover BE (1998) A comparison of threshold-based strategies for nonlinear hearing aids. Ear Hear 19:131–138PubMedCrossRef
42.
go back to reference The EuroQol Group (1990) EuroQol: a new facility for the measurement of health-related quality of life. Health Policy 16:199–208CrossRef The EuroQol Group (1990) EuroQol: a new facility for the measurement of health-related quality of life. Health Policy 16:199–208CrossRef
43.
go back to reference van den Brink RHS, Wit HP, Kempen GIJM, van Heuvelen MJG (1996) Attitude and help-seeking for hearing impairment. Br J Audiol 30:313–324PubMed van den Brink RHS, Wit HP, Kempen GIJM, van Heuvelen MJG (1996) Attitude and help-seeking for hearing impairment. Br J Audiol 30:313–324PubMed
44.
go back to reference Verschuure J (1994) Selektie van het hoortoestel. In: Kapteyn TS, Clemens A, Glazenburg BE, Joustra J (eds) Slechthorende en hoortoestel. De Leeuw Press, Rijnsburg, The Netherlands Verschuure J (1994) Selektie van het hoortoestel. In: Kapteyn TS, Clemens A, Glazenburg BE, Joustra J (eds) Slechthorende en hoortoestel. De Leeuw Press, Rijnsburg, The Netherlands
45.
go back to reference Versfeld NJ, Daalder L, Festen JM, Houtgast T (2000) Method for the selection of sentence materials for efficient measurement of the speech reception threshold. J Acoust Soc Am 107:1671–1684PubMedCrossRef Versfeld NJ, Daalder L, Festen JM, Houtgast T (2000) Method for the selection of sentence materials for efficient measurement of the speech reception threshold. J Acoust Soc Am 107:1671–1684PubMedCrossRef
46.
go back to reference Wagener K, Brand T, Kollmeier B (1999) Entwicklung und Evaluation eines Satztests für die deutsche Sprache I-III: Design, Optimierung und Evaluation des Oldenburger Satztests. Z Audiol 38(1–3):4–15. (44–56, 86–95) Wagener K, Brand T, Kollmeier B (1999) Entwicklung und Evaluation eines Satztests für die deutsche Sprache I-III: Design, Optimierung und Evaluation des Oldenburger Satztests. Z Audiol 38(1–3):4–15. (44–56, 86–95)
47.
go back to reference Ware JE, Sherbourne CD (1992) The MOS 36-item short form health survey (SF-36). Med Care 30:473–483PubMedCrossRef Ware JE, Sherbourne CD (1992) The MOS 36-item short form health survey (SF-36). Med Care 30:473–483PubMedCrossRef
48.
go back to reference Wesselkamp M, Margolf-Hackl S, Kiessling J (2001) Comparison of two digital hearing instrument fitting strategies. Scand Audiol 30(Suppl 52):73–75CrossRef Wesselkamp M, Margolf-Hackl S, Kiessling J (2001) Comparison of two digital hearing instrument fitting strategies. Scand Audiol 30(Suppl 52):73–75CrossRef
49.
go back to reference World Health Organization (1980) International classification of impairments, disabilities and handicaps. A manual of classification relating to the consequences of disease. World Health Organization, Geneva World Health Organization (1980) International classification of impairments, disabilities and handicaps. A manual of classification relating to the consequences of disease. World Health Organization, Geneva
50.
go back to reference World Health Organization (2001) International classification of functioning, disability and health (ICF). World Health Organization, Geneva World Health Organization (2001) International classification of functioning, disability and health (ICF). World Health Organization, Geneva
Metadata
Title
Comparative studies on hearing aid selection and fitting procedures: a review of the literature
Authors
Mick Metselaar
Bert Maat
Hans Verschuure
Wouter A. Dreschler
Louw Feenstra
Publication date
01-01-2008
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology / Issue 1/2008
Print ISSN: 0937-4477
Electronic ISSN: 1434-4726
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-007-0494-7

Other articles of this Issue 1/2008

European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology 1/2008 Go to the issue