Perceived Occlusion and Comfort in Receiver-in-the-Ear Hearing Aids

Abstract

Purpose This study examined self-perceived occlusion and physical comfort ratings by hearing aid users with receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aids using different sizes of domes. Method Twenty-one older adults with hearing impairment were fitted with bilateral RITE hearing aids and tested with 3 dome conditions (open, plus, and power domes) and 1 control condition (participants' own aids). Participants ranked self-perceived occlusion across dome size conditions and across recorded and own voice conditions. Participants also ranked their level of physical comfort across dome sizes. Results Self-perceived occlusion increased as dome size increased, with open domes and participants' own aids resulting in the least amount of occlusion. Although this effect was demonstrated in both recorded and own voice conditions, the effect of dome size was greatest in the own voice test conditions. Perceived physical comfort decreased as dome size increased. Conclusions Self-perceived occlusion was greatest for power domes, although average level of occlusion did not exceed moderate occlusion on the rating scale. Perceived physical comfort was highest with the open dome and participants' own aids. Plus and power domes were respectively ranked as more uncomfortable than open domes.