Benefits of Assistive Listening Device for Speech Intelligibility

Benefits of an Assistive Listening Device for Speech Intelligibility in Noise

Speech intelligibility in noise will be evaluated in adults with moderate to moderate-severe sensorineural hearing loss, using an assistive listening device and hearing aid, and compared to speech intelligibility in noise using hearing aids alone.

Inclusion Criteria:

• adults age 18 or older with bilateral moderate to moderate severe sensorineural hearing loss, pure tone average must be between 40 and 69 dB HL (decibel Hearing Level)
• experienced hearing aid users
• symmetric hearing loss (no more than 15 dB difference between the ears at three contiguous frequencies)
• good written and spoken English language skills
• healthy outer ear as confirmed by otoscopy

Exclusion Criteria:

• contradictions to medical device noted upon otoscopy
• known hypersensitivity or allergy to materials of investigational device or comparator
• inability to produce reliable test results
• known psychological problems
• self reported symptoms of dizziness or vertigo