Central auditory function assessment and its contributions for hearing aids fitting

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the central auditory function in elderly submitted to fitting of hearing aids, who had no success on binaural use, although presented bilateral symmetric hearing loss. Subjects answered a questionnaire in order to investigate factors that could have contributed to rejection of binaural adaptation. Procedures also included evaluation of peripheral auditory function with pure tone and speech audiometry, and central auditory assessment with the following tests: Dichotic Digits and Staggered Spondaic Words. Results were analyzed concerning subject’s preference in terms of amplification and comprehension if an eventual difference between performances of both ears could be a factor contributing to the choice of monoaural fitting. Only one subject presented an unlike result between the two ears whereas the better ear was the one which benefited from amplification. We concluded that a central auditory dysfunction can interfere negatively in the selection and fitting of hearing aids. Hence, it’s necessary to include tests to assess this function during the process of hearing aids´ fitting, specially in elderly population.