Verification of a Novel Hearing Aid Fitting Guide for Humanitarian Audiology

Abstract

When fitting a hearing aid, it is necessary to verify that the prescribed gain matches the in-situ gain determined from an individual’s hearing loss. Audiologists use a verification process known as Real Ear Measures (REMs) to ensure that the hearing aid is providing ample gain across frequencies for a particular hearing loss. However, in underserved communities, there are economic barriers to these services and few, if any, trained professionals to fit hearing aids using REMs. In this study, a hearing aid fitting guide created specifically for the GN Resound Match hearing aids was evaluated by comparing the hearing aid output across frequency and various speech input levels for test box simulated real ear measures (SREMs) versus on ear real ear measures (REMs) from 10 different ears. The first aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the GN Resound Match hearing aids using electroacoustic test box verification measures to ensure they met quality standards for the distribution and procurement of hearing aids in low to middle income countries. The second aim of this study was to verify the use of this novel, easy to use, hearing aid fitting guide for fitting the GN Resound Match devices adequately and efficiently across low resource countries without the need for technology, extensive training and expensive equipment.