Comparing the localization performance using traditional hearing aids and personal sound amplification products (PSAPs)

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TSP2019Collins_Redacted.pdf (2.17 MB)

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https://archives.towson.edu/Documents/Detail/comparing-the-localization-performance-using-traditional-hearing-aids-and-personal-sound-amplification-products-psaps/313305

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http://hdl.handle.net/11603/40125

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Towson University Graduate Theses and Dissertations

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Author/Creator ORCID

Date

2022-03-03

Type of Work

theses
Text

Department

Towson University. Department of Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology

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Citation of Original Publication

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There are no restrictions on access to this document. An internet release form signed by the author to display this document online is on file with Towson University Special Collections and Archives.

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the objective benefit of a Personal Sound Amplification Product (PSAP) (CS 50+) versus a traditional hearing aid (Oticon Nera miniRITE) in localization ability using an audiologist best fit fitting approach. Nine participants with slight to moderately-severe hearing loss were appropriately fit and evaluated with PSAPs and traditional hearing aids. Localization ability was then assessed in an unaided, PSAP, and traditional hearing aid condition. Coordinate response measure (CRM) was used to determine speech identification thresholds in the unaided, PSAP, and hearing aid listening condition. Participant performance was better in the spatially separated condition for the unaided, PSAP, and hearing aid listening condition compared to the co-located condition. On average the traditional hearing aid condition produced the lowest threshold in the spatially-separated condition. However, statistical analysis was not completed due to the small sample size. Participants were also assessed for localization ability using a low frequency (500 Hz) and high frequency (3150 Hz) tone. Overall, participants were able to localize the low frequency stimulus (500 Hz) more accurately than the high frequency stimulus (3150 Hz). Localization performance was similar across hearing conditions (unaided, PSAP, hearing aid) for the low frequency stimulus and poorer in the PSAP condition for the high v frequency stimulus (3150 Hz). On average participants performed best in the hearing aid condition for both high and low frequency stimuli. Overall, the results of this study are in good agreement with previous studies that have assessed advanced PSAP and their ability to perform similarly to a traditional hearing aid. Localization results from this study in generally good agreement with previous hearing aid localization research. However, further research is needed to further draw conclusions based on device performance.