Boothless Aided Audiometry: A Pilot Study

Although free-field aided audiometry is not the gold standard of hearing aid verification because of its many limitations, it is still circumstantially needed. The conventional method of sound-field aided audiometry requires a sound-proof booth. However, as clinicians face a high-volume of audiometric tests ordered daily at the otolaryngology clinic, a sound-proof booth may not be always available when needed. This study aims to explore if out-of-booth free-field aided audiometry can be just as reliable as the conventional method.

A pilot exploration of 10 patients (20 ears), with at least a moderate degree of bilateral symmetrical sensorineural hearing loss was conducted. Patients were recruited during their follow-up hearing aid appointments with their audiologist. All patients had been fitted with hearing aids for at least 6 months in duration, and their hearing aids were optimized.

Out-of …