Assessment of the effects of noise suppression in digital hearing aids

Abstract The effect of a new digital hearing aid (Beltone-Lumina D71HP) with noise suppression was evaluated in comparison to analog hearing aids. The study comprised of 10 patients that were wearing the instruments for two periods of 1 month. For one period, the noise-suppression system was switched on and switched off for the other period in random order. The performance was evaluated by speech in noise tests (SPIN tests) and by the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) questionnaire. Results showed significant improvements compared to analog instruments. The effect of the noise-suppression system on speech understanding in noise was small, but the positive effect was confirmed by the APHAB questionnaire for the background noise (BN) category.