Strategies of hearing aids fitting for improving speech recognition in noisy environments

Abstract

To assess speech recognition in users of mono- and binaural hearing aids (HA) with dynamic environment control system (DECS). 25 HA users with symmetrical bilateral moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss and 10 individuals with normal hearing underwent speech audiometry in a free sound field by listening to an adaptive Russian matrix sentence test with a background noise. The testing was conducted for hearing impaired patients with one and two HA. The Speech Recognition Thresholds in noise (SRTN) using HA with DESC and using HA without DESC were compared. The dichotic digits test and the rapidly alternating speech perception test were performed to evaluate the central auditory system function. The SRTN in normal hearing listeners was -16.4±1.9 dB SNR. In the case of monaural using HA without DESC the SRTN was -2.5±4.4 dB SNR, using HA with DESC it was -5.8±4.0 dB SNR; in the case of using binaural HAs it was -6.3±3.8 dB SNR and -9.9±3.1 dB SNR accordingly. HAs with Dynamic Environment Control System are highly effective for speech perception in noisy environments. Binaural HA use is more effective than monaural HA use regardless of HA model. Speech recognition in noisy environments in cases of binaural HA use correlates significantly with results of tests assessing the central auditory system function.