{"title":"Performance of hybrid gain formula versus traditional fitting formulas in hearing aid fitting in tinnitus patients with hearing loss.","authors":"Eser Sendesen, Hasan Colak","doi":"10.1007/s00405-024-08846-z","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Hearing aid fitting can be challenging when tinnitus accompanies hearing loss, as speech intelligibility and quality of life are affected by both hearing loss and tinnitus perception. However, studies focusing on the optimal hearing aid fitting for this group are scarce. Here, we aim to investigate the performance of alternative hearing aid fitting scenarios in improving hearing aid benefit and managing tinnitus.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Sixty-six participants were included in the study and randomly divided into three groups based on the fitting formula: NAL-NL2, DSL pediatric and hybrid gain fitting procedure (covering NAL-NL2 for low frequencies and DSL pediatric formulas for high frequencies). Hearing aid benefit was evaluated using the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) questionnaire and speech perception in noise (SPIN). To evaluate tinnitus perception, psychoacoustic characteristics of tinnitus were determined, and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) was gathered.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The NAL-NL2 fitting procedure showed better results in hearing aid benefit and SPIN compared to the DSL pediatric procedure. In the DSL pediatric procedure, better results were obtained in tinnitus management compared to NAL-NL2. There was no difference between the hybrid fitting procedure and DSL pediatric in tinnitus management. The hybrid fitting procedure also did not differ from NAL-NL2 in SPIN and hearing aid benefit.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Here, we propose a hybrid gain fitting procedure that can be a better alternative to boost hearing aid performance and tinnitus management in clinical practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":11952,"journal":{"name":"European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology","volume":" ","pages":"6295-6302"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9000,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11564385/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology","FirstCategoryId":"92","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-024-08846-z","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2024/7/28 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Purpose: Hearing aid fitting can be challenging when tinnitus accompanies hearing loss, as speech intelligibility and quality of life are affected by both hearing loss and tinnitus perception. However, studies focusing on the optimal hearing aid fitting for this group are scarce. Here, we aim to investigate the performance of alternative hearing aid fitting scenarios in improving hearing aid benefit and managing tinnitus.
Methods: Sixty-six participants were included in the study and randomly divided into three groups based on the fitting formula: NAL-NL2, DSL pediatric and hybrid gain fitting procedure (covering NAL-NL2 for low frequencies and DSL pediatric formulas for high frequencies). Hearing aid benefit was evaluated using the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) questionnaire and speech perception in noise (SPIN). To evaluate tinnitus perception, psychoacoustic characteristics of tinnitus were determined, and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) was gathered.
Results: The NAL-NL2 fitting procedure showed better results in hearing aid benefit and SPIN compared to the DSL pediatric procedure. In the DSL pediatric procedure, better results were obtained in tinnitus management compared to NAL-NL2. There was no difference between the hybrid fitting procedure and DSL pediatric in tinnitus management. The hybrid fitting procedure also did not differ from NAL-NL2 in SPIN and hearing aid benefit.
Conclusion: Here, we propose a hybrid gain fitting procedure that can be a better alternative to boost hearing aid performance and tinnitus management in clinical practice.
期刊介绍:
Official Journal of
European Union of Medical Specialists – ORL Section and Board
Official Journal of Confederation of European Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Head and Neck Surgery
"European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology" publishes original clinical reports and clinically relevant experimental studies, as well as short communications presenting new results of special interest. With peer review by a respected international editorial board and prompt English-language publication, the journal provides rapid dissemination of information by authors from around the world. This particular feature makes it the journal of choice for readers who want to be informed about the continuing state of the art concerning basic sciences and the diagnosis and management of diseases of the head and neck on an international level.
European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology was founded in 1864 as "Archiv für Ohrenheilkunde" by A. von Tröltsch, A. Politzer and H. Schwartze.