Open fitting: performance verification of receiver in the ear and receiver in the aid

OBJECTIVE: To verify the receiver in the ear and receiver in the aid adaptations by measuring in situ the speech perception and users' level of satisfaction. METHODS: The study was approved by the research ethics committee (Process: 027/2011). Twenty subjects older than 18 years with audiological diagnosis of mild and moderate bilateral descending sensorineural hearing loss were evaluated. The subjects were divided into two groups, where G1 (group 1) was fitted with open-fit hearing aids with the built-in receiver unit (receiver in the ear) and G2 (group 2) was fitted with open-fit hearing aids with RITE. A probe microphone measurement was performed to check the gain and output provided by the amplification and for assessment of speech perception with Hearing in Noise Test with and without hearing aids. After a period of six weeks of use without interruption, the subjects returned for follow-up and answered the Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Life questionnaire, and were again subjected to Hearing in Noise Test. RESULTS: Both groups presented better test results for speech recognition in the presence of noise. CONCLUSION: Groups 1 and 2 were satisfied with the use of hearing aids and improved speech recognition in silent and noisy situations with hearing aids.

研究目的：通过原位测量言语感知能力与用户满意度水平，验证耳内受话器（receiver in the ear）与助听器内置受话器的适配方案效果。
研究方法：本研究经研究伦理委员会批准（审批编号：027/2011）。共纳入20名18岁以上、经听力学诊断为轻中度双侧下行性感音神经性听力损失的受试者进行评估。将受试者分为两组：G1组（第1组）佩戴内置受话单元（耳内受话器，receiver in the ear）的开放选配助听器，G2组（第2组）佩戴带有RITE（Receiver-In-The-Ear）的开放选配助听器。采用探管麦克风测量法检测放大设备的增益与输出参数，并通过噪声下言语测试（Hearing in Noise Test）分别评估受试者佩戴与未佩戴助听器时的言语感知能力。受试者连续佩戴助听器6周且无中断使用后返院随访，填写《日常放大设备使用满意度问卷》（Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Life Questionnaire），并再次接受噪声下言语测试。
研究结果：两组受试者在噪声环境下的言语识别测试成绩均更优异。
研究结论：G1与G2组受试者均对助听器的使用感到满意，且佩戴助听器后在安静与噪声环境下的言语识别能力均得到提升。