Abstract:

Some limitations of the hearing aid fitting process are discussed. The classical procedures in this process are based on audiometric test results and/or the loudness scaling method employing artificial test signals. However, the fitting of hearing aids should be also performed on the basis of testing speech understanding in noise, because this is much closer to the real life conditions. A satisfying reliability of these tests may be achieved through the use of modern computer technology with an application of a properly calibrated sound system. A new strategy applicable to fitting prostheses was developed. It allows finding automatically characteristics of a hearing aid matching patients needs. The principles of the fitting method employing fuzzy reasoning, and some results of the experiments will be presented in the paper.