Method of selection and assessment of hearing aids efficiency based on comparative speech audiometry

Objectives – to improve the quality of hearing aids (HA) selection for patients with sensorineural hearing loss using a comparative free sound field speech audiometry according to our modified method "Delta Test".

Material and methods. The study involved 56 patients aged from 18 to 62 years with bilateral chronic sensorineural hearing loss of 2-4 degrees. The study group included 32 patients, a test for speech recognition in a free sound field (speech audiometry) was conducted using the method proposed by us. The control group consisted of 24 patients who were aided without the use of comparative speech audiometry.

The "Delta Test" included the use of audio files sets containing a speech material in pure form and mixed with speech noise with different signal-to-noise ratios, supplied through a speaker system connected to a personal computer. The percentage of correctly repeated words was measured without HA and with several HA having different settings. The effectiveness of using HA was defined as the difference in the percentage of speech recognition when using HA in relation to the "ear without HA".

Results. According to "The International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids" the average score was 4.13± 0.10 in the group where the HA were selected using the "Delta Test", which is statistically significantly higher than in the control group, where the average score was 3.72±0.15(p < 0.05). "Delta Test" allows optimally select the HA parameters. This method is easy to perform and does not require expensive equipment.