Abstract

Background:Hearing loss (HL) can be defined as complete or partial loss of the ability
to hear and understand information, which limits or restricts an individual’s ability to
perform hearing-related activities. The present study assessed efficacy of two different
hearing aids in patients with hearing loss.
Materials & Methods: 94 patients with hearing loss of both genders were divided into 2
groups of 47 each. Group I comprised of channels ranged from 1 to 16. Group II had
the number of channels ranged from 2 to 16. Patient satisfaction levels was recorded
using the international outcome inventory for hearing aids, Turkish edition (IOI-HATR).
Total individual subjective satisfaction (TISS) scores were also recorded.
Results: Group I had 27 males and 20 females and group II had 29 males and 18
females. The mean TISS score at 1 month in group I was 48 and in group II was 62, at 6
months was 53 and in group II was 68 and at 12 months in group I was 60 and 74 in
group II. The difference was significant (P< 0.05).
Conclusion: There was better hearing with devices with good technologic features such
as more channels and a lower minimum frequency.