Comparison of Channel FreeTM and Multi Channel Hearing Aids on Performance in Individuals with Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Abstract

Individuals with sensorineural hearing loss with flat and sloping configuration, face major problems such as reduced audibility, reduced dynamic range, reduced frequency selectivity and impaired temporal resolution giving rise to poor speech perception and listening discomfort, in quiet as well as in adverse listening situations. Multichannel hearing aids with wide dynamic range compression made their way in order to resolve some of these issues. The Channel FreeTM hearing aids were developed claiming to improve speech intelligibility and listening comfort. To see the effect of channels on speech perception, a comparison of three-channel, five-channel and Channel FreeTM hearing aids, in ears with flat and sloping SNHL, was done by collecting data on SIS in quiet using phonemically balanced words from eleven participants having flat SNHL and high frequency words for ten participants having sloping SNHL group. In addition, data on SNR-50 and quality rating from eleven ears of participants with flat SNHL and ten ears of participants with sloping SNHL. The results revealed more benefit from Channel FreeTM hearing aid processing in flat and sloping SNHL groups compared to three-channel and five-channel hearing aids in the presence of noise (SNR-50) and parameters of quality was perceived better in all parameters of quality except for loudness with Channel FreeTM processing. The speech was perceived as softer with Channel FreeTM compared to three-channel and five-channel hearing aids. Non-parametric tests revealed more benefit from Channel FreeTM hearing aid processing in flat SNHL group of population compared to sloping SNHL group of population. Hence, the present study finds Channel FreeTM hearing aid processing as a better amplification method for individuals with flat and sloping configuration of sensorineural hearing loss, as it provides better speech perception in the presence of noise and better quality of speech.