Comparing criteria for deviation from hearing aid prescriptive targets in children.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine if a stricter criterion for paediatric hearing aid fitting for proximity of fit-to-target of <3 dB root-mean-square (RMS) error produces better audibility and outcomes compared to the current <5 dB criterion, and to examine the relationship between aided audibility and RMS error by degree of hearing loss. DESIGN: We evaluated the influence of unaided hearing level on the relationship between RMS error and aided audibility. We assessed the effect of RMS error category (<3, 3-5, >5 dB) on aided audibility, speech recognition, expressive vocabulary, and morphosyntax. STUDY SAMPLE The study included 2314 hearing aid verification measurements from 307 children with hearing aids. RESULTS: Children who met a <3 dB criterion had higher aided audibility than children who met no criterion (>5 dB error). Results showed no differences in speech recognition or vocabulary by error category, but children with <3 dB error demonstrated better morphosyntax than children with 3-5 and >5 dB RMS error. CONCLUSIONS: Fittings that are close to prescriptive targets provide a more positive outcome for children with hearing aids. Using probe microphone measures to adjust hearing aids to within 3 dB may benefit language abilities in children.