Abstract
Sound-field Bekesy audiograms were obtained from one experienced hearing-impaired subject wearing an ear-level hearing aid with a conventional earmold and a nonoccluding CROS-type earmold. Comparisons were made to determine the effects of the two different types of earmolds as well as different tubing lengths for nonoccluding CROS-type earmolds. Findings indicate: (1) A nonoccluding CROS-type earmold alters the frequency response characteristics of a hearing aid by markedly reducing the amplification for the low frequencies. (2) The length of tubing has a minor effect compared with that caused by the nonoccluding CROS ear coupler. (3) Sound-field Bekesy audiometry is a reliable and valid tool for assessing changes in the amplifying characteristics of hearing aids.

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