Investigations of Ear Tip Performance, Perceptions, and Experiences

Normal hearing participants will be fit with a hearing aid and different types of customized earmolds. Hearing aids will be programmed to a simulated mild, flat, sensorineural hearing loss of 30 dB HL from 250-8000Hz. Objective acoustic real ear measures and subjective ratings of sound quality and physical comfort will be evaluated and compared between earmolds. Findings will help researchers to better understand the impacts of different earmolds and how each might affect overall point-of-care.

Inclusion Criteria:Normal hearing thresholds (<25 dB HL) at octave frequencies from 250-8000Hz.Normal otoscopy: patent ear canals with normal appearing eardrums and aerated middle ear, bilaterally.English as primary spoken language.Exclusion Criteria:history of extensive or current outer or middle ear pathology.history of extensive outer or middle ear surgery.history of neurological or cognitive disorder.