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

ObjectiveTo verify the receiver in the ear and receiver in the aid adaptations by measuring in situ the speech perception and users’ level of satisfaction.MethodsThe 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.ResultsBoth groups presented better test results for speech recognition in the presence of noise.ConclusionGroups 1 and 2 were satisfied with the use of hearing aids and improved speech recognition in silent and noisy situations with hearing aids.

ResumoObjetivoEstudo clínico prospectivo para verificar as adaptações RITE e RITA por meio da mensuração in situ da percepção da fala e satisfação dos usuários.MétodoEstudo aprovado pelo CEP (Processo no 027/2011). Foram avaliados 20 indivíduos maiores de 18 anos com diagnóstico audiológico de perda auditiva sensorioneural descendente bilateral de graus leve e moderado. Os indivíduos foram divididos em dois grupos, onde o G1 (grupo 1) foi adaptado com AASI open-fit com receptor no próprio aparelho (RITA) e o G2 (grupo 2) foi adaptado com AASI open-fit com receptor no canal (RITE). Foi realizada a medida com microfone-sonda para verificação do ganho e saída do AASI e avaliação da percepção da fala com Hearing in Noise Test (HINT), sem e com AASI. Após um período de seis semanas de uso sem interrupções, o individuo retornou para acompanhamento e respondeu ao questionário SADL (Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Life Scale) e realizou o HINT.ResultadosOs grupos apresentaram melhores resultados no teste de reconhecimento da fala com presença de ruído.ConclusãoOs grupos 1 e 2 apresentaram satisfação com o uso do AASI e melhora no reconhecimento de fala nas situações de silêncio e ruído com o uso de AASI.