Adaptation to Enhanced Dynamic Range Compression (EDRC)-Examples from the SENSO P38 Digital Hearing Aid
Francis K. Kuk · Seminars in Hearing · 2001
This article uses the findings of a study on the SENSO P38 power hearing aid as an illustration of the dilemma that clinicians may face in deciding the course of action when the results of the initial fit are objectionable to the wearer. The P38 study was conducted on 20 adult subjects with a severe to profound degree of hearing loss. The results showed that its low-compression threshold and high-level compression were effective in improving the wearer's speech understanding ability over time. However, the same features also resulted in initial negative subjective reactions from the wearers. This article reminds clinicians that in attempting to resolve a wearer's complaints, it is necessary to understand fully the operation of the recommended hearing aid, the wearer's hearing loss and hearing aid history, the specifics of the wearer's complaints, and the results of the fitting. Proper counseling is necessary to ensure maximum benefit. KEYWORD Enhanced dynamic range compression (EDRC) - adaptation - high-level compression - compression threshold - troubleshooting