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Semin Hear 2019; 40(01): 026-036
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1676781
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Pilot Comparison of Adjustment Protocols of Personal Sound Amplification Products

Nicholas S. Reed
1   Department of Otolaryngology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
2   Center on Aging and Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
,
Antoinette Oliver
3   Department of Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology and Deaf Studies, Towson University, Towson, Maryland
,
Nirmal Kumar Srinivasan
3   Department of Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology and Deaf Studies, Towson University, Towson, Maryland
,
Frank R. Lin
1   Department of Otolaryngology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
2   Center on Aging and Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
,
Peggy A. Korczak
3   Department of Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology and Deaf Studies, Towson University, Towson, Maryland
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
05 February 2019 (online)

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Abstract

The Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2017 was signed into law in August 2017 and facilitates the introduction of direct-to-consumer sales of hearing aids for adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. Among many questions surrounding over-the-counter sales is the ability of users to self-fit amplification. Many studies have conducted self-fitting procedures using guidance materials provided by audiologists. In this pilot, we explore the ability of users to self-adjust personal sound amplification devices using only materials provided by the manufacturer and contrast this with models that involve a hearing professional. Outcomes to assess adjustments included clinic-based speech-in-noise measures and ability to approximate NAL-NL2 prescriptive targets. We found that an audiologist-driven model provided the best outcomes. However, it is unknown if the difference is clinically meaningful.

Keywords

Personal Sound Amplification Product - over-the-counter device - self-fit amplification - direct-to-consumer sales
 

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