Allowing for Real Ear Venting Effects when Selecting the Coupler Gain of Hearing Aids

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Vents in hearing aids have two major effects on the insertion gain of a hearing aid: they let low-frequency sound in without amplification, and they reduce the low-frequency gain of sound transmitted through the hearing aid. Their net effect on low-frequency gain can thus be either negative or positive. This paper shows how to allow for both of these effects. One of the results is that for many hearing-impaired clients, there is a range of coupler gain curves which will result in the required insertion gain. The tables in this article are arranged to enable the user to specify a desired vent, and then determine the allowable range of coupler gains that will achieve a desired insertion gain to within a specified tolerance. The results of various studies comparing coupler gain and insertion gain are also compared and combined. The calculation method outlined in this paper can predict low-frequency real ear insertion gain for the individual subject with a prediction accuracy (root-mean-square-error) of 3.6 dB.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: