A survey and clinical evaluation of hearing aid data-logging: a valued but underutilized hearing aid fitting tool

ABSTRACT Objectives: Data-logging is a feature in hearing aids with little empirical evidence as to its use and relationship to outcomes in adults. Two studies were undertaken to evaluate data-logging use. Methods: Study 1: a 27-question web-based survey was developed in consultation with hearing aid manufacturers and distributors, and sent to 358 members of the New Zealand Audiological Society (NZAS). Study 2: data-logging results and hearing aid features from 44 clients were related to the Modified Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (MAPHAB). Results: Study 1 had 108 respondents to the survey (30% response rate); 88% of audiologists found data-logging to be a useful clinical tool in the overall hearing aid fitting process and 94% found it to be a useful tool in participant counselling. Most audiologists reported data-logging use in the first follow-up appointment and often (but not always) in subsequent appointments. Study 2 found data-logging agreed with self-reported patterns of use. The participants found significant benefit in hearing aids according to the MAPHAB, but data-logging results provided little insight into MAPHAB outcomes. Participants used hearing aids for over 8 h per day, with aids in ‘speech-in-quiet’ modes 67% of the time. Clients fitted to the NAL-NL2 prescription had greater benefit than those fitted to NAL-NL1. The trial audiologists seldom used data-logging to assist fitting. Conclusions: Audiologists self-reported that data-logging was a useful clinical tool for assisting in the hearing aid fitting process, however in practice audiologists did not appear to be using many of the data-logging features.