PP320 - Speech Recognition and Sound Quality Measures with Direct to Consumer Hearing Devices and Hearing Aids in Adults with Hearing Loss

POSTERS

Location: Halls A1-A2

Instructional Level: Intermediate

Lead Presenter(s)

Amber N. Gerasimchik

Doctor of Audiology Student
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

Disclosure(s): No financial or nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

Presenter(s)

Makenzie Pauline

Doctor of Audiology Student
University of Florida
Cocoa, Florida

Disclosure(s): No financial or nonfinancial relationships to disclose.
Emily A. Gaines, AuD

Clinical Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Clinical Education in Audiology
The University of Florida
GAINESVILLE, Florida

Disclosure(s): No financial or nonfinancial relationships to disclose.
SS

Sterling W. Sheffield, AuD, PhD (he/him/his)

Associate Professor
Western Washington University
Western Washington University
Bellingham, Washington

Disclosure(s): No financial or nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

Abstract: To determine the efficacy of cheaper alternatives for those with hearing loss, we aimed to investigate if over-the-counter (OTC) hearing devices can offer good sound quality and speech perception. Subjects with hearing loss ranked the sound quality and repeated QuickSIN stimuli of amplification device recordings in an acoustic manikin. OTC devices and hearing aids performed overall similarly for speech perception. OTC devices performed better than hearing aids in sound quality. Preliminary results indicate that OTC hearing devices show promising outcomes and may be a cost-effective replacement for traditional hearing aids for adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss.

Summary: The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids for those with hearing loss compared to prescription hearing devices. We aimed to investigate if OTC hearing devices can offer good sound quality and speech perception. All of the devices underwent real-ear verification where they were programmed to three hearing loss categories, mild to moderate, mild to severe, and flat moderate. Participants’ hearing was tested and they completed the study with testing in the hearing loss category they best fit. The Knowles Electronic Manikin for Acoustic Research (KEMAR) was used to create the sound recordings and for real-ear verification. To evaluate sound quality, subjects with hearing loss ranked simulated device recordings of four differing sound stimuli, nature, party, music, and traffic, across nine devices comprising traditional hearing aids and OTC devices. Participants were presented with 11 variations of one sound, one of which being the reference sound and one a poor-filtered anchor, and were asked to rank them from much worse to much better than the reference on a numerical scale, 1-200, with nine categories (much worse, worse, bit worse, small bit worse, like reference, small bit better, bit better, better, and much better). The participants were blinded to the devices. To evaluate speech perception outcomes across devices, subjects repeated QuickSIN speech stimuli with the different hearing device recordings. The participant was presented with 12 total lists, each with six sentences, and were scored on the ability to accurately repeat the sentence back in the presence of background noise. All stimuli in this study were presented monaurally and the participants were blinded to the devices. OTC devices and hearing aids performed overall similarly for speech perception. OTC devices performed better than hearing aids in sound quality. OTC hearing devices show promising outcomes for speech perception and sound quality. This suggests OTC devices may be effective for those with appropriate hearing thresholds.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion, participants will be able to summarize the differences in speech perception and sound quality between prescription hearing aids vs over-the-counter hearing aids.