AN ANALYSIS OF THE VOROBA PROGRAMMABLE AUDITORY COMPARATOR: A SYSTEM FOR THE SELECTION AND FITTING OF IN-THE-EAR HEARING AIDS (PAIRED COMPARISON, COUPLER GAIN, ARTICULATION INDEX, PSYCHOPHYSICAL SCALING)

MARY TERESE CACCAVO, Purdue University

Abstract

This investigation was designed to evaluate the clinical feasibility of the Voroba Programmable Auditory Comparator (VAC). This instrumentation allowed for individual listener selection of electroacoustic (EAC) characteristics, as represented by slope of response. The selection process used a modified paired comparison paradigm. An in-the-ear (ITE) shell and electronics identical to what the listener finally received were utilized. Subjects were eleven experienced ITE hearing aid users. The results of the VAC selection of slopes were compared with two other means of selecting EAC characteristics for ITE hearing aids. These were the Central Institute for the Deaf Hearing Aid Selection Program and a traditional, manufacturer-designed ITE derived by formula from an audiometric configuration. The results of this investigation revealed that hearing impaired listeners were able to quickly select a hearing aid response and consistently select the same slope presented on a test/retest basis. When compared to their own manufacturer-designed ITE, five subjects selected more low frequency energy through the VAC while five other subjects selected less low frequency. For one subject, the slope selected was the same as that of the subject's custom ITE. The slope chosen through the VAC aid resulted in, on the average, greater functional gain than the ITE hearing aid which was custom designed by a manufacturer. The functional gain achieved by the VAC aid generally resulted in a greater articulation index score than the manufacturer-designed hearing aid. It was also observed that the average 2cc coupler gain of the VAC aid was similar to the gain recommended by the CID formula. The manufacturer-designed ITE yielded in less gain than was selected through the VAC or recommended by the CID formula. The results of this experiment suggest that the VAC system may be a valuable hearing aid fitting tool. Further investigations will provide additional information relating to its clinical utility.

Degree

Ph.D.

Subject Area

Audiology

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