Hearing Aid Outcomes for Listeners With High-Frequency Hearing Loss

Purpose: To determine whether listeners with primarily high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss (HF SNHL) perceived benefit from amplification provided by completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids. Method: The Hearing Handicap for the Elderly-Screening version, the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit, and the Satisfaction With Amplification in Daily Life questionnaires were mailed to 2 groups of listeners (n = 79) who matched preset criteria, including threshold at 2000 Hz and use of CIC amplification. Sixty-seven percent (n = 53) of the questionnaires were returned and were divided into 2 groups. Group I (n = 26) consisted of listeners with normal hearing through 2000 Hz, and Group II (n = 27) consisted of listeners with normal hearing only through 1000 Hz. Results: Results revealed that both groups perceived significant hearing handicap, hearing aid benefit, and hearing aid satisfaction. Differences between the 2 groups on the 3 measures, however, were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Listeners with HF SNHL perceived benefit and satisfaction from amplification with CIC hearing aids. Individuals with SNHL limited to the high frequencies should be considered candidates for amplification.