Using the device-oriented subjective outcome (DOSO) scale to measure outcomes of different hearing aids

<i>Objective</i>: The device-oriented subjective outcome (DOSO) is a device-oriented questionnaire, intended to minimise the influence of personality on self-reported measures. The aim of this study was to provide normative data with 2015-era hearing aid technologies. <i>Design</i>: This retrospective study evaluated data from records of three clinical trials. The DOSO was administered for the participants’ own devices as a part of the intake and after using research devices in the field. <i>Study sample</i>: The DOSO data were collected from 132 experienced bilateral hearing aid wearers who participated in the clinical trials. <i>Results</i>: The DOSO data collected with the participants’ own devices were compared to the interim normative data collected between 2004 and 2005. The DOSO subscale scores from the participants’ own devices were significantly higher than those from the interim norms, except Listening Effort subscale. To demonstrate the utility of the new norms, a separate set of DOSO data collected from the same participants after using research hearing aids were contrasted to the new normative data. After accounting for possible placebo effects, the DOSO data with research devices revealed additional self-reported benefit of technological advancements. <i>Conclusions</i>: Norms for the DOSO are recommended for evaluating hearing aids with more recent technologies.