Selecting and adjusting amplification for older listeners

Older listeners with hearing loss have unique communication needs that dictate the practical and theoretical decisions concerning amplification. Although age-related differences may not be apparent in easy listening situations such as speech in quiet, in complex listening situations such as rapid speech or speech in high levels of background noise older listeners perform more poorly than younger listeners with similar hearing thresholds. This article reviews recent work on older listeners' responses to signal processing strategies used in digital hearing aids. Research results are extended to hearing aid selection and fitting recommendations that can be applied in the clinical setting.