PP324 - Comparing Data Logging for Different Signal Types Among Manufacturers

Abstract: Data logging is an important component for tracking users’ listening environments during hearing aid wear time. It is also a useful tool to evaluate acoustic conditions in educational settings. The Phonak Audéo Paradise P90-R, Phonak Sky M50-SP, and Starkey automatic program data logging were observed in three different listening environments. An iPad, speaker, KEMAR, and sound field speakers were used to simulate three different listening environments: speech in quiet, speech in noise, and instrumental music. Despite all aids being exposed to the three listening environments at the same time, the data logging results varied.

Summary:
To evaluate the consistency of data logging across manufacturers, three hearing aids were programmed to a flat 20 dBHL hearing loss using the NAL-NL2 fitting formula. All aids were exposed to the same acoustic input generated in the sound booth for 3 hours. KEMAR represented a participant wearing a Phonak Audéo Paradise P90-R (Paradise) hearing aid on the left ear and a Phonak Sky M50-SP (Marvel) hearing aid on the right ear. The Starkey Livio AI 2400 (Livio) was placed on the left side of the simulated head and pinna system (SHAP). In the sound booth, an iPad (5^th Gen) was connected to a Jam Bluetooth speaker that was placed three feet in front of KEMAR.

The Paradise automatic programming can recognize calm situations, speech in noise, speech in the car, comfort in noise, comfort in echo, and music. The Marvel automatic programming can recognize calm situations, speech in noise, and comfort in noise. The Livio automatic programming can recognize quiet, speech, noise, speech in noise, machine, and music. A 60-minute Ted Talk (speech) was played at full volume on the iPad paired to the Jam Bluetooth speaker in a quiet sound booth, and then at full volume in 50 dBHL of speech noise using sound field speakers positioned 8 feet behind KEMAR. Immediately following, 60 minutes of Beethoven’s symphonies were played as instrumental music on the iPad paired to the Jam Bluetooth speaker in a quiet sound booth for a total 3 hours in the simulated listening environments. Phonak Target 8.1.2 and Starkey Inspire software were used to evaluate data logging after all simulated listening conditions were presented. Results were variable as shown in Table 1. Plans include repeating the conditions with these aids and evaluating aids by Oticon and Resound.

Accurate hearing aid data logging is crucial as it provides comprehensive insight into a user's auditory experience, aiding in fine-tuning settings for optimal performance. The findings of this study suggest variability of data logging across manufacturers, primarily in environmental classification. This study helps us to understand these differences and can aid in presuming patients’ listening environments based on their automatic programming data.

Table 1

	Paradise (%)	Sky (%)	Livio (%)
Calm Situation	52.6	68.3	N/A
Speech in Noise	0.0	3.0	16.0
Speech in Car	0.0	N/A	N/A
Comfort in Noise	27.2	28.8	N/A
Comfort in Echo	0.0	N/A	N/A
Music	19.2	N/A	16.0
Quiet	N/A	N/A	22.0
Speech	N/A	N/A	28.0
Noise	N/A	N/A	14.0
Machine	N/A	N/A	4.0