Measurement and numerical simulation of the changes in the open-loop transfer function in hearing aid as a function telephone handset proximity

Abstract

The presence of a nearby object (telephone handset, cupped hand, etc.) can cause acoustical feedback to occur in a hearing aid. The object reflects or scatters additional sound energy to the microphone position causing the open-loop transfer function (OLTF) to increase. Feedback can occur when the OLTF>0 dB. To investigate this problem, measurements of the OLTF were made for three hearing aids (BTE, ITC, ITE) mounted on a KEMAR manikin. A telephone handset, positioned initially in a typical user position, was translated to positions between 0 and 100 mm away from the pinna, repeatibly, using a linear translation system. Changes of up to 15 dB or more were observed as the handset moved, particularly for positions within 20 mm of the pinna. In parallel, numerical simulations were made using a boundary element method. Computed changes in OLTF were consistent with the measured changes.