Output Limiting with ReSound Hearing Aids

Question

How is output limiting achieved in ReSound hearing aids?

Answer

One of the most frequently asked questions when working with ReSound hearing aids is why the max peak output (MPO) values in the Aventa fitting software are set to maximum regardless of the patient's audiogram. Clinicians occasionally express concern that the output of ReSound hearing aids will exceed the individual patient's uncomfortable loudness levels. However, ReSound has safeguards to ensure this is not the case.

Output limiting for patient safety and comfort in ReSound hearing aids is accomplished by appropriate gain prescriptions for 50 and 80 dB SPL input levels and fast-acting Wide Dynamic Range Compression (WDRC). WDRC controls the output of the hearing aid to ensure that it does not exceed patient comfort levels as predicted by normative data. Frequency-specific MPO handles are provided for fitting rules which prescribe more linear responses, or for added control when fitting patients who desire higher gain for loud inputs than is prescribed by the Audiogram+ prescriptive targets. It is important to note that the maximum MPO values shown in the fitting software can only be attained with the hearing aid set to full-on gain.

Manually lowering the MPO settings in Aventa will further lower the maximum output of the hearing aid. Entering UCL values in the patient's NOAH file will result in an increase or decrease of MPO values, depending on whether the measured UCL is higher or lower than the predicted normative value.

Jennifer Groth, M.A., is Director of Audiology Communication at GN ReSound, where she is responsible for product definition and audiology-driven support for products in the market. She has served in roles such as research audiologist and product manager through the course of her career. She holds a Master of Arts degree in speech pathology & audiology from the University of Iowa.

For more information about ReSound visit http://www.gnresound.com or the ReSound web channel