Effect of Prescriptive Formulae on the Perception of Music in Hearing aid Users

Abstract

The main objective of the study was to investigate the effect of prescriptive formulae on music perception by comparing the perceptual rating of the quality of music head in the unaided condition with the aided condition. The hearing aid was programmed using NAL NLJ , DSL (1/0) and FIG6 formulae. Twenty sub1ects m the age of 18 to 64 years having mild to moderate sensorineural hearing loss participated in the study. The participants were fitted with a digital hearing aid in which NAL NLJ , DSL (i/o), and FJG6 formulae were used Jar prescribing the first fit program. The participants rated the quality of music on a five point rating scale in the unaided and aided conditions with hearing aid programmed using NAL NLJ , DSL (ilo), FJG6 Participants ranked the unaided and three aided conditions based on the order of preference of each condition for listening to music. The Fast Fourier Transforms (FFTs) were obtained for unamplified music as well as music amplified through NAL NLJ , DSL (i/o) and FJG6. The results showed that the aided conditions were rated to be better than unaided condition in the perceptual rating of quality of vocal and violin music. For vocal as well as violin, subjects preferred the hearing aid with DSL (ilo) and FIG6 formulae over NAL NLJ formulae. FIG 6 was ranked as the best, DSL (ilo) as second, NAL NLJ and unaided as third as the condition preferred for listening to music.