XR3.2 Individualised Fitting Of Devices

Based on insights gained from The Listening Brain Program, this Key Project is determining the most effective methods for fitting:

• combinations of hearing devices (e.g. electroacoustic, trainable, bilateral);
• devices for use in different acoustic settings; and
• devices for infants and patients not able to cooperate with the clinician (e.g. those with additional disabilities or advanced cognitive decline).

In the current environment, clinicians are faced with prescription of electroacoustic stimulation for their clients, provided either through a cochlear implant and hearing aid used in opposite ears (the bimodal solution) and/or a cochlear implant and hearing aid used together in the same ear (the hybrid solution). A key question being addressed is – how should these devices be fitted to the same or opposite ears to best suit individual users?

Another element of the project is investigating how functioning of hearing aids can be adjusted over time to best complement differing cognitive and hearing abilities of their users as they age. Further it is looking at how directional characteristics of microphones can be best adjusted for different users and different listening situations.