Optimization of Music Compression

Optimization of Music Compression for People With Hearing Impairment

Hearing impaired persons suffer from inferior music perception with and without hearing aids. Hearing aids, however, are primarily designed to improve speech intelligibility not music enjoyment. This study investigates the potential benefit of signal processing strategies that are optimized for music. The purpose of this study is to improve music compression for hearing impaired people.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Female and male adults between 18 and 99 years
• German-speaking
• Symmetric, mild to severe, ski-slope hearing loss
• Binaural hearing aid user without frequency lowering
• Informed Consent as documented by signature

Exclusion Criteria:

• Have taken part in a study at Phonak within 4 months prior to the first session
• People with mental-health problems
• People whose audiogram is older than 12 months and it is not possible make a reliable measurement
• Very limited motor activity or mobility