The present study investigated the effects of gain compensation and venting on front-to-back
ratios (FBRs), speech understanding in noise, and acceptance of noise in 19 listeners
with hearing impairment utilizing directional hearing instruments. The participants
were separated into two groups based on degree of low-frequency hearing sensitivity.
Subjects were fitted binaurally with Starkey Axent II programmable behind-the-ear
hearing aids and full-shell earmolds (select-a-vent). Results demonstrated that gain
compensation and venting significantly affected FBRs for both groups; however, acceptance
of noise was not significantly affected by gain compensation or venting for either
group. Results further demonstrated that speech understanding in noise was unaffected
by venting but may be improved with the use of gain compensation for some listeners.
Clinical implications are discussed.
Key Words
Acceptance of background noise - directional hearing aids - front-to-back ratio -
low-frequency gain compensation - speech understanding in noise - venting
