An exploratory investigation of gain precalculation principles in CE-labelled Sonova brand hearing instruments (e.g. Phonak hearing instruments) is intended to be conducted on hearing impaired participants. These gain precalculation principles are enabled by respective hearing instrument technologies and hearing instrument algorithms. The aim of the study is to investigate and assess strength and weaknesses of these gain precalculation principles in terms of speech intelligibility to determine their application in hearing instruments (Phase of development). Objective laboratory measurements as well as subjective ratings will be carried out. This will be a controlled, single blinded and randomized active comparator clinical evaluation which will be conducted mono centric at Sonova AG Headquarter based in Stäfa.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
16
Each participant will be fitted with two different pairs of hearing aids with different gain precalculation principles. Gain precalculation applies the amplification of sound signals in the hearing aid. The active comparator condition is the state of the art hearing aid gain precalculation from a competitor device.
Each participant will be fitted with two different pairs of hearing aids with different gain precalculation principles. Gain precalculation applies the amplification of sound signals in the hearing aid. The experimental conditions vary in their parametrization to result in different degrees of added amplification.
Each participant will be fitted with two different pairs of hearing aids with different gain precalculation principles. Gain precalculation applies the amplification of sound signals in the hearing aid. The experimental conditions vary in their parametrization to result in different degrees of added amplification.
Sonova AG
Stäfa, Switzerland
Speech intelligibility
Speech intelligibility in % will be assessed with a monosyllabic word recognition test for each of the interventional conditions
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 weeks
Qualitative ratings on naturalness
Sound Signals will be rated in terms of naturalness on a scale from 0 - 100 in increments of 1 for each interventional condition
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 weeks
Qualitative ratings on loudness
Sound Signals will be rated in terms of perceived loudness on a scale from 1 - 5 in increments of 1 for each interventional condition
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 weeks
Qualitative ratings on own voice quality
Own voice will be rated in terms of perceived bothersomeness on a scale from 1 - 5 in increments of 1 for each interventional condition
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 weeks
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.