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Real-world benefit from directional microphone hearing aids

David Gnewikow, PhD, et al.

Figure.Loudspeaker arrangement for Hearing in Noise Test and Connected Speech Test.

This study investigated the benefit of hearing aids that amplify more sounds from the front of the patient than from the back (directional hearing aids). We examined 94 veterans with hearing loss in a variety of ways, including benefit surveys; testing in background noise; and satisfaction, benefit, and preference questionnaires. Our results indicated that individuals with hearing loss, regardless of the degree of their losses, understood speech better in difficult background noise situations with directional microphone hearing aids than with standard, nondirectional aids. However, no clinically significant differences were found in terms of satisfaction, benefit, and preference.


Volume 46 Number 5, 2009
   Pages 603 — 618

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