Question
I have been looking at some of the literature on Acceptable Noise Level (ANL) and how it relates to fitting hearing aids. Based on a patient's ANL, would you recommend any guidelines for fitting a hearing aid?Answer
Our lab has thought about the viability of using ANL as a type of fitting model. An example would be: Patients with low ANL would go through the fitting process without any modifications. Patients with mid-range ANL would need to take advantage of any type of technologies that would help their ANL scores such as directional microphones. Finally, patients with high ANL scores may need to go through some sort of aural rehabilitation, counseling or training to help prepare them for the hearing aid process in addition to advanced hearing aid technologies.
While you could use this as a general guideline, we are still researching this area and so I cannot recommend a definitive protocol. Our lab has published several papers on ANL and hearing aid fittings that may also be of help to you.
Nabelek, AK. (2005) Page Ten: Acceptance of noise may be key to successful fittings. Hearing Journal 58(4):10-15.
Nabelek AK, Freyaldenhoven MC, Tampas JW, Burchfield SB. (2006) Acceptable noise
level as a predictor of hearing aid use. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology 17(9).
If you would like additional information on the ANL measurement, please visit our lab's website at web.utk.edu/~aspweb/faculty/nabelek/anl.shtml
Melinda C. Freyaldenhoven, Ph.D., CCC-A (Assistant Professor): Mindy earned the Ph.D. degree in Speech and Hearing Science from The University of Tennessee (Knoxville) in 2006. She is currently an Assistant Professor at Louisiana Tech University (Ruston).
Patrick N. Plyler, Ph.D., CCC-A (Assistant Professor): Patrick earned the Ph.D. degree in Speech and Hearing Science from The University of Tennessee (Knoxville) in 1998. He then moved to Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge), where he was an Assistant Professor for 5 years. In 2004, Patrick returned to The University of Tennessee (Knoxville) as an Assistant Professor.
