Moodie Sheila T F, Scollie Susan D, Bagatto Marlene P, Keene Kelley
National Centre for Audiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
ListenUP! Canada, Peterborough, Ontario.
Am J Audiol. 2017 Sep 18;26(3):251-258. doi: 10.1044/2017_AJA-16-0054.
The purpose of this study was to measure the range of fit to Desired Sensation Level version 5.0 (DSL v5.0) targets in pediatric practice environments. Results will be used in the future to develop clinical-aided speech intelligibility index typical performance data.
Clinical partners collected data from 161 final hearing aid settings for children aged ≤ 10 years. Measured data were obtained by performing 2-cm3 coupler-simulated real-ear measurements using the DSL v5.0 implementation on the Audioscan VF-1 (Etymonic Design Inc., Dorchester, ON, Canada) for soft, average, and loud speech inputs and maximum hearing aid output levels.
Fittings were within ± 5-dB root-mean-square (RMS) error of target for 77%, 80%, and 82% of fittings for the soft, medium, and loud speech test levels, respectively. Aided maximum power output measures were within ± 5-dB RMS error in 72% of cases. Degree of hearing loss, test frequency, and frequency by test level were significant factors in deviation from target. The range of aided speech intelligibility index values exhibited a strong correlation with the hearing levels of the children tested.
This study provides evidence that typical hearing aid fittings for children can be achieved within ± 5-dB RMS error of the DSL v5.0 target. Greater target deviations were observed at extreme frequencies and as the severity of hearing loss increased.
本研究旨在测量儿科临床实践环境中与5.0版期望感觉水平（DSL v5.0）目标的适配范围。研究结果将用于未来开发临床辅助言语可懂度指数的典型性能数据。
临床合作伙伴收集了161例年龄≤10岁儿童最终助听器设置的数据。测量数据是通过使用Audioscan VF-1（加拿大安大略省多切斯特市的Etymonic Design公司）上的DSL v5.0实施方案，对软声、平均声和大声言语输入以及最大助听器输出水平进行2立方厘米耦合器模拟真耳测量而获得的。
在软声、中等声和大声言语测试水平下，分别有77%、80%和82%的适配在目标值±5分贝均方根（RMS）误差范围内。在72%的情况下，辅助最大功率输出测量值在±5分贝RMS误差范围内。听力损失程度、测试频率以及测试水平与频率是偏离目标的显著因素。辅助言语可懂度指数值的范围与受试儿童的听力水平呈现出强相关性。
本研究提供了证据，表明儿童典型的助听器适配可以在DSL v5.0目标的±5分贝RMS误差范围内实现。在极端频率以及听力损失严重程度增加时，观察到更大的目标偏差。
