Contribution
Real-life preferences of hearing-aid users for adjustment of advanced features
* Presenting author
Abstract:
Preferences for advanced hearing-aid settings, such as directionality and noise reduction (DIR+NR), vary considerably across users. Since no clinical best-practice is established for advanced features, clinicians often rely on patient preference. However, this may not provide users with optimal audiological benefit. This study investigated individual preferences for advanced hearing-aid features across everyday acoustic environments, addressing two key questions: How sensitive are users to changes in DIR+NR settings relative to minor gain changes? What factors contribute to individual DIR+NR preferences in various environments?111 bilateral hearing-aid users in two centers in Germany and Japan participated in the study. In each of six field periods, two listening programs were provided which differed in DIR+NR strength or in high-frequency gain and soft gain. Participants completed self-initiated field report questionnaires on their program preferences in daily-life situations.We found preferences for DIR+NR settings to be weaker than for minor gain changes. Therefore, rather than relying on user-defined DIR+NR settings, clinicians may readily guide patients toward settings that maximize speech-in-noise benefit, as these may be easily accepted with appropriate counseling. The environment influenced both DIR+NR and gain preferences, highlighting the importance of environment-adaptive systems in hearing aids.