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The Devil is in the Defaults: How Various Signal Processing Strategies Influence Fine-Tuning Decisions in Older Adults

Course: #40918Level: Intermediate 1 Hour 50 Reviews

As modern hearing aids integrate more artificial intelligence (AI) and other automated features into their devices, it becomes increasingly more challenging to observe how many of these signal processing features work and how they may differ between brands. This course sheds light on this challenge and is divided into parts.
1) An examination of the normally aging human auditory system and the effect these age-related changes have on selecting and fitting hearing aids, using Windle et al’s 2023 fitting guidelines as a starting point.
2) Using case studies, a detailed discussion of underlying signal processing differences between two leading hearing aid brands, and how these differences can influence hearing aid selection and fitting decisions in the clinic.

Learning Outcomes

  • checkmarkAfter this course, participants will be able to describe the results of normal aging on the auditory system.
  • checkmarkAfter this course, participants will be able to describe first-fit default settings from two leading hearing aid manufacturers and how they differ across important parameters.
  • checkmarkAfter this course, participants will be able to explain how to apply hearing aid fitting guidelines for older adults.

Agenda

0-20 Minutes Normal Aging and Its Effect on The Human Auditory System
20-40 Minutes First-Fit Default for Audibility, Directionality, and Noise Reduction for Two Manufacturers - How They Differ and Clinical Implications
40-55 Minutes Review Recently Published Guidelines for Fitting Older Adults, and How These First-Fit Defaults Compare to Them
55-60 Minutes Summary and Q&A

Reviews

50 Reviews
by Erin on July 23, 2025
Knowledge and experience of the presenters, very clear explanations, great thorough handouts.
by Esmeralda on July 22, 2025
The presentation was very thorough and interesting.
by Michael on July 22, 2025
This information is critical as a dispensing audiologist fitting primarily older adults.
More Reviews
Sponsor Disclosure: This Course is presented by Signia in partnership with AudiologyOnline.

Content Disclosure: This learning event focuses on the following products or services: Widex and Signia hearing aids.

Course participation information

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Passing an online exam and completing a course evaluation will be required to earn continuing education credit.

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To participate in the course, complete the exam and course evaluation, and earn continuing education credit, you must be a AudiologyOnline member. Participants must complete the entire course; partial credit is not allowed.

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American Academy of Audiology

American Academy of Audiology

AudiologyOnline is approved by the American Academy of Audiology to offer Academy CEUs for this activity. The program is worth a maximum of 0.10 AAA CEUs. Academy approval of this continuing education activity is based on course content only and does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products, or clinical procedure, or adherence of the event to the Academy's Code of Ethics. Any views that are presented are those of the presenter/CE Provider and not necessarily of the American Academy of Audiology.


Australian College of Audiology

Australian College of Audiology

AudiologyOnline courses are approved for Continuing Education Points by the Australian College of Audiology. Automatic ACAud Approval Number 20000. This course is offered for 1.00 CEP.


Association of Hearing Instrument Practitioners of Ontario

Association of Hearing Instrument Practitioners of Ontario

The Association of Hearing Instrument Practitioners of Ontario (AHIP) represents and guide its members in their practice which include, the testing and selecting, fitting and dispensing hearing instruments and associated devices in the best interest of the hard of hearing of Ontario. Audiology Online is an approved provider of approved educational activities for AHIP Members. One hour of coursework equals 1 Continuing Education Unit (CEU).


American Speech-Language-Hearing Assn.

American Speech-Language-Hearing Assn.

Intermediate Level
0.10 ASHA CEUs


British Academy of Audiology

British Academy of Audiology

This course has been accredited with 1.00 CPD point/s by the British Academy of Audiology.


Canadian Academy of Audiology

Canadian Academy of Audiology

The Canadian Academy of Audiology (CAA) supports and assists its members in the attainment of continuing education towards an individual professional development plan as required by their Provincial Regulatory Colleges and Provincial Associations. Audiology Online is an approved provider of educational activities for CAA members. Each hour of activity may be counted as one Continuous Learning Activity Credit (or equivalent) as allowed by the applicable regulatory college or association.


California Hearing Aid Dispensers Bureau


California Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology Board


International Association for Continuing Education and Training

International Association for Continuing Education and Training

continued, LLC, DBA AudiologyOnline, is accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). continued complies with the ANSI/IACET Standard, which is recognized internationally as a standard of excellence in instructional practices. As a result of this accreditation, continued is authorized to issue the IACET CEU. continued, LLC, is authorized by IACET to offer 0.10 CEUs for this program.


International Hearing Society

International Hearing Society

This program is approved by the International Hearing Society and its educational committee, the International Institute for Hearing Instruments Studies. To learn more about earning IHS CE Credit, click here.


Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services

Kansas Department of Health and Environment: Approved for 1.00 continuing education clock hours for Kansas licensed Audiologists by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services. Long-Term Sponsorship number LTS-S0035.


New Zealand Audiological Society

New Zealand Audiological Society

This course is offered for 1.00 Continuing Education points through the New Zealand Audiological Society.


Speech-Language & Audiology Canada

Speech-Language & Audiology Canada

Clinically certified members of Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC) can accumulate continuing education equivalents (CEEs) for their participation with AudiologyOnline. One hour of coursework equals 1 CEE. All SAC members are encouraged to participate in on-going education.


Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation

AudiologyOnline is a registered provider for the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation Hearing Instrument Fitters and Dispensers Program (registration #142). This activity is offered for 1.00 contact hour(s). License holders may not receive more than 10 hours of continuing education credit per license term from online courses offered by registered continuing education providers. Virtual courses are not considered to be online courses. License holders may not receive more than 10 hours of continuing education credit per license term from in-person, online, or virtual courses offered by registered manufacturer continuing education providers.


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