[Problems of hearing aid fitting in elderly adults (author's transl)]

Abstract

To provide optimum hearing aid fitting in elderly adults, certain factors are necessary which may affect the frequency response curves of the hearing aids. In cases of presbyacusis, an objective fitting of hearing aids can be based on accurate audiometry (via headphone and loudspeaker) with careful interpretation of test results. Importance is placed on directional hearing as it occurs when listening to a speaker against a background of noise. The test methods used in the Department of Audiology, Basel, are described for minitoring the stereophonic fitting of hearing aids. The advantages of this fitting (as opposed to monaural fitting alone) in cases of presbyacusis with symmetrical hearing losses are discussed.