Question
What is considerd to be the gold standard for measuring the success of hearing aid fittings?
Answer
Great question. I'm constantly amazed at what I see in journals about how to use sound field and real ear procedures in the measurement of digital technology. I found myself asking, ''If I need to turn so many circuit features off to do the correct measurement, then what am I REALLY measuring?''. A common follow up question was, ''I know this is correct, but why doesn't the patient LIKE it?''.
In the real world, for me, the measurement of success involves one of two procedures.
The first involves a series of three questions:
1. Does the patient wear the hearing aid according to the audiologist's recommendation? (ie, not sitting in a drawer)
2. Does wearing the hearing aid make a significant improvement in the patient's life and communication skills? (ie, use of the aid changed their life)
3. Did the patient choose to keep the aid after the evaluation period? (ie, it was of sufficient value that the aid was not retruned for credit).
The new ''gold standard'' for actual measurement involves the use of Live Speech Mapping (LSM) or Visible Speech Mapping VSM) and, in my judgement, is the most significant new development in measurement technology that I've seen in many years. This easy-to-use system uses live speech (or a variety of other stimuli) to measure what the patient is actually receiving at the eardurm, in real time. It's an accurate way to measure any type of technology with turning anything off, and clearly shows the effect of DFS, noise management and other critical features.
It shows you what the manufacturer's algorithm's don't, measures whether or not you are delivering what you think you are delivering, and does wonders for patient confidence.
To me, then, one should answer some simple questions and document results with speech mapping to achieve the new 'gold standard'.
Kenneth E. Smith, Ph.D. has been in private practice for more than 28 years and, with group of 4 audiologists, operates multiple offices in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Smith is a past president of ADA, and instrructor in PCO's Au.D. program and a consultant to industry.