Listening strategies and benefits when using a programmable hearing instrument with eight programs.

The main argument for purchasing a programmable hearing instrument with multiple programs is the assumption that different program settings can be used in acoustically different listening environments. The presumed advantages of the 3M Model 8200 programmable hearing instrument have been investigated in three clinical trials. This paper is a summary of the results. The evaluations were based on protocols and diary booklets where the patients indicated the selected listening situation versus program number. The Datalogging feature of the instrument, measuring the total on-time and the on-time per program, provided a unique support of the evaluation. The results indicated that most patients use 2-5 different programs, and have 2-4 programs fitted for their specific listening environments ("spotlight-listening"). It will, however, be difficult to develop general prescriptive formulas, as the listening pattern and environments differ across subjects.