Active Research

Principal Investigator: Gabrielle Saunders, PhD

Objective: To evaluate a new tool for assessing and counseling hearing aid users.

Background: This study is a continuation of a completed project in which a new tool, the Performance-Perceptual Test (PPT), was developed. The tool measures objective and subjective ability to understand speech in noise using the same test materials, testing format, and unit of measurement (S/N), thus permitting a direct comparison between measured and perceived ability to hear. This differs from routine practice in which performance is measured using a test of speech perception, while subjective benefit and satisfaction are measured with questionnaires, thus any discrepancies between subjective reports of benefit and measured performance cannot be reconciled. With the PPT two variables are measured: a Performance Speech Reception Threshold in Noise (SRTN) and a Perceptual SRTN. The resultant difference is the Performance-Perceptual Discrepancy (PPDIS), which is a measure of the extent to which individuals misjudge their hearing ability. In this study the PPT is used as a counseling tool to determine whether counseling based upon the PPDIS can be used to improve hearing aid satisfaction.

Findings: To date, 21 subjects have completed the study, and data indicate that PPT-based counseling is potentially more effective than non-PPT-based counseling. Providing detailed explanations of patients’ hearing and providing patients with graphs to take home and share with significant others leads to highly positive outcomes.