Bilateral amplification for the elderly: are two aids better than one?

This paper reviews the advantages and disadvantages of bilateral amplification as opposed to unilateral hearing use for older persons with bilateral symmetric hearing loss. Binaural advantages, such as improved localization and speech recognition in noise, are presented as they pertain to the older...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of audiology 2003, Vol.42 (S2), p.63-67
Main Author: Holmes, Alice E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Amplifiers, Electronic
Auditory Threshold
Bilateral amplification
Binaural advantage
Binaural interference
Contraindications
Correction of Hearing Impairment
Elderly
Equipment Design
Female
Hearing Aids
Hearing impaired
Hearing Loss, Bilateral - rehabilitation
Hearing Tests
Humans
Perceptual Masking
Prosthesis Fitting
Sound Localization
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Summary:This paper reviews the advantages and disadvantages of bilateral amplification as opposed to unilateral hearing use for older persons with bilateral symmetric hearing loss. Binaural advantages, such as improved localization and speech recognition in noise, are presented as they pertain to the older population. In addition, contraindications, such as binaural interference, increased costs, cosmetic concerns, decreased manipulation skills, and additional hearing aid management issues, are discussed, A. case study is provided in which unilateral hearing aid fitting was more beneficial to a patient than two hearing aids. It is concluded that bilateral amplification should be attempted for all elderly patients with symmetric hearing loss, unless a contraindication is suspected.
ISSN:1499-2027
1708-8186
DOI:10.3109/14992020309074646