Impact of hearing aid electroacoustic verification on speech perception and user performance in daily activities

Abstract

Purpose: to assess the impact of electroacoustic verification on the satisfaction level and speech recognition in quiet and noise of hearing aid users. Methods: 24 individuals who had been using the device for at least 1 year and had not previously performed electroacoustic verification were assessed. In the first session, participants responded to the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids validation questionnaire and indicated their satisfaction level on a visual analog scale. They were, then, subjected to speech perception tests in quiet and noise and electroacoustic verification, returning after 3 months and repeating the first stage assessments. The Wilcoxon test and paired t-test were used for data analysis, with significance set at p-value ≤ 0.05. Results: the visual analog scale assessment, the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids score, the speech perception threshold in quiet and noise, and the signal/noise ratio improved after 3 months. Conclusion: individuals who had been using the device for at least 1 year had a substantial improvement in their satisfaction level and speech perception in quiet and noise after the electroacoustic verification.