Does the Receiver Type Used in Receiver-in-Canal Hearing Aids Have an Effect on Real-Ear-to-Coupler Difference and Coupler Response for Flat Insertion Gain Values?

  • Masoud Bolandi Department of Audiology, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Science, Tehran, Iran
  • Ahmad Reza Nazeri Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  • Hamid Jalilvand Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  • Alireza Akbarzadeh Baghban Proteomics Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background and Aim: Real-Ear-to-Coupler Difference (RECD) is affected by the type of transducer and its coupling method. This study aimed to investigate the effect of receiver type used in Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) hearing aids on RECD and Coupler Response for Flat Insertion Gain (CORFIG) obtained by the same coupling method.

Methods: In this study, the right ears of 30 normal-hearing adults (25 men and 5 women, with a mean age of 28.13±5.62 years) were studied. We used the RIC hearing aids with two standard and power receivers. The foam of the ER-3A insert earphone was used as a coupling system in both receivers. By using the Audiogram Direct test within Phonak’s fitting software, 70 dB HL intensity was produced at different frequencies, once in the real- ear and again in the HA-1 coupler. By assessing the difference between real-ear and HA-1 coupler measurements, the RECD was first obtained. Then, the CORFIG was obtained at different frequencies by subtracting the Microphone Location Effect (MLE) and RECD from Real-Ear Unaided Gain (REUG).

Results: The RECD and CORFIG values obtained from the standard receiver at all frequencies were significantly different from those from the power receiver (p<0.05), where the use of the power receiver resulted in lower RECD and higher CORFIG. With the increase in frequency, the RECD increased. A small frequency changes of 50 Hz had a significant effect on RECD and CORFIG.

Conclusion: The type of receiver used in RIC hearing aids has a significant effect on the RECD and CORFIG values.

Keywords: Real-ear measurement; real-ear-to-coupler difference; insertion gain; hearing aid

Published
2024-10-13
Section
Articles