Evaluation of the hearing performance of profoundly hearing impaired hearing aid users with CI indication in Hesse

Introduction Hearing aid users often have difficulties understanding speech in complex hearing situations. The aim of the study was to perform different hearing tests in hearing aid users with profound hearing loss.

Method The inclusion criteria was either a hearing loss > 70 dB HL at 1 kHz, a maximum monosyllable speech perception score of ≤ 60%, or a monosyllable speech perception score with hearing aid in the free field of ≤ 50% in at least one ear. Depending on the mean hearing loss (PTA-4), the sites were divided into a better hearing ear and a worse hearing ear. Speech intelligibility was determined using the Freiburg monosyllable speech test in different conditions (unaided 65 dB SPL, unaided maximum monosyllable speech perception, aided at 65 dB SPL). Furthermore, the subjects answered the SSQ questionnaire (Speech, Spatial, Quality).

Results 37 adult subjects (□69 years) were included in the study. The mean PTA-4 was 68 dB HL (better/worse ear: 60 dB HL/77 dB HL). With hearing aids, subjects had a speech perception of 47%/29% on the better/worse hearing ear. Speech tests in the better hearing ear were significantly better with hearing aids than without hearing aids at 65 dB SPL (p < 0.001), but there was no significant difference in the worse hearing ear (p = 0.135). The maximum monosyllable speech perception was significantly better than the speech test results with hearing aids for both sides.

Discussion In the everyday settings of the hearing aids, significant improvement in monosyllabic speech perception score was achieved only in the better hearing ear. It can be assumed that the hearing aid settings are insufficient for optimal speech understanding. The results also suggest that a large proportion of the subjects studied would benefit from CI fitting.

Die Studie wurde gefördert von Cochlear Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG.

Publication History

Article published online:
12 May 2023