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Evaluation of over-the-counter hearing devices

Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing devices and personal sound amplifier products (PSAPs) are affordable and easily accessible amplification options available to the public. Recent advances in technology have improved the quality of OTC and PSAP products. However, there is a dearth of research on the technical aspects of these devices and their potential application. This study investigated a sample of twelve ‘high-end’ OTC/PSAP devices available for online purchase. Products were tested for standard electroacoustic analyses as well as simulated real-ear measures (SREM). Using typical age-related hearing loss audiometric configurations and a 2-cc coupler, devices were adjusted in an attempt to match NAL-NL2 targets. Results were considered by assessing the ‘distance-to-target’ at each test frequency. Most of the devices provided reasonable technical quality and amplification. The ability of devices to hit targets was limited by the ability to adjust gain in different frequency bands. However, products that allowed for ‘treble’ and ‘bass’ volume adjustments were most capable of hitting prescriptive targets. Products that integrate with smartphone technology, either at time of ‘fitting’ and/or time of use, provided the most flexibility in terms of matching prescriptive targets. The growing field of consumer electronics may improve the quality of affordable options for adults with hearing loss in low-resource environments.

Sara Mamo (POC,Primary Presenter), University of Massachusetts, Amherst, smamo@umass.edu;
Sara K. Mamo is an Assistant Professor at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences in the Department of Communication Disorders. She completed her clinical (Au.D.) and research (Ph.D.) training in audiology at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Her research interests include the aging auditory system and speech perception deficits among older adults along with innovative approaches to hearing care for older adults, including persons with dementia.

ASHA DISCLOSURE:

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Nicholas Reed (Co-Author), Johns Hopkins University, nreed9@jhmi.edu;
Nick Reed AuD is an Assistant Professor in the Johns Hopkins Department of Otolaryngology-HNS and a core faculty member in the Cochlear Center for Hearing & Public Health. He is interested in audiology from a public health perspective, including the epidemiology of hearing loss and increasing the accessibility and affordability of hearing loss treatment for people with age-related hearing loss.

Frank Lin (Co-Author), Johns Hopkins University, flin1@jhmi.edu;
Frank Lin, MD, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Otolaryngology and Epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Bloomberg School of Public Health. He is the Director of the Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health. Dr. Lin's clinical practice is dedicated to otology and the medical and surgical management of hearing loss. His research is primarily focused on studying the interface between hearing loss and aging. In particular, Dr. Lin has established multiple collaborations with gerontologists, cognitive scientists, epidemiologists, and auditory scientists that form the basis for his current research program studying the impact of hearing loss on the cognitive and physical functioning of older adults and the potential role of aural rehabilitative strategies in mitigating these effects.

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