Wireless binaural hearing aid technology for telephone use and listening in wind noise.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the speech perception benefits of binaural streaming technology for bilateral hearing aid users in two difficult listening conditions.

DESIGN

Two studies were conducted to compare hearing aid processing features relating to telephone use and wind noise. Speech perception testing was conducted in four different experimental conditions in each study.

STUDY SAMPLE

Ten bilaterally-aided children in each study.

RESULTS

Significant improvements in speech perception were obtained with a wireless feature for telephone use. Significant speech perception benefits were also obtained with wireless hearing aid features when listening to speech in simulated wind noise.

CONCLUSIONS

Binaural signal processing algorithms can significantly improve speech perception for bilateral hearing aid users in challenging listening situations.