Application of ASSR in the Hearing Aid Selection Process

Abstract

The present study investigated the possible use of the auditory steady state response (ASSR) technique in hearing aid fitting. The relationship between the real ear insertion gain (REIG) and ASSR gain (unaided ASSR threshold vs. aided ASSR threshold) was examined. Thirty subjects with mild to moderately severe sensorineural hearing loss with age range of 15 years to 50 years (mean age 32 years) participated in the study. Based on the degree, configuration and type of hearing loss, two digital BTE hearing aids were preselected. For each subject insertion gain and ASSR gain were measured at 500 Hz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz and 4 kHz. The hearing aid that best matched with the target curve during insertion gain measurement was selected for the ASSR measurement. ASSR gain and REIG were highly correlated with significance values p < .05. Paired sample t tests revealed that there was no significant difference at all test frequencies. The ASSR technique shows great promise in hearing aid fitting for those who can not reliably respond on behavioral testing.