Abstract

Background:Hearing loss not only causes a deficiency in a person’s capacity to perceive
sounds, but it also brings about psychosocial compromises. The present study was
conducted to compare efficacy of two different hearing aids in patients with hearing
loss.
Materials & Methods: 72 patients with hearing loss were divided into 2 groups. Each
group had 36 patients. Group I comprised of channels ranged from 1 to 16. Group II
had the number of channels ranged from 2 to 16. The minimum frequency ranged from
100 to 160 Hz and the maximum from 5,800 to 7,600 Hz. Total individual subjective
satisfaction (TISS) scores were also recorded.
Results: The group I had 17 males and 109 females and group II had 20 males and 16
females. The mean TISS score at 1 month, 6 months and 12 months in group I was 50,
55 and 63 and in group II was 60, 68 and 75 respectively (P< 0.05). The difference was
significant (P< 0.05).
Conclusion: Devices with good technologic features such as more channels, a lower
minimum frequency, and a higher maximum frequency result in better hearing.