Improved white noise method in the evaluation of linear hearing-aids characteristics

Abstract

In this paper an alternative method of determining the standardized electroacoustical parameters for hearing aids is discussed. This is done by using white noise as the input stimulus and a high resolution algorithm, Burg's method, to obtain the spectral estimation of the frequency response. Three types of hearing-aid are analyzed according to both the pure tonal and white noise method and their standardized computed electroacoustical characteristics are compared. The results show deep differences at the low frequency range and a close match at high frequencies (HFA-ref. test and SSPL-90 dBSPL).