FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WATERLOO, ON | March 14th, 2025 – A new study shows that hearing aid users prefer higher-level technology in real-world situations, reinforcing their benefits in everyday conversations.

The study, led by Dr. Danielle Glista at the National Centre for Audiology, Western University, gathered user feedback in a variety of settings, from quiet home environments to noisy restaurants and outdoor spaces. Using Unitron hearing aids, researchers compared three technology levels – premium, mid-level, and basic – allowing participants to switch between them in daily life.

The results showed that preference ratings for hearing aid technology level were influenced by the listener's location and the type of background noise present. Users consistently preferred mid-to-premium-level hearing aids, especially in conversations with background noise.

"It’s exciting to see that sophisticated technology makes a real difference in the moments that matter," said Douglas Baldwin, Senior Manager of Global Audiology Marketing at Unitron. "When people are in social settings or noisy environments, higher-level technology shows potential to help listeners hear and engage more easily."

Unlike traditional lab-based research, this study used Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA), a method that collects feedback as users experience different real-world listening situations. This approach eliminates guesswork by capturing reactions to the current moment rather than relying on participants' memory.

The findings give hearing care professionals valuable insights when helping clients choose the right hearing instruments. By having users directly compare different technologies in their day-to-day lives, professionals can support appropriate technology recommendations as part of the clinical hearing aid fitting process.

"By using real-world data, we can help hearing care professionals make informed recommendations that truly benefit their patients," added Leonard Cornelisse, Senior Hearing Scientist and Manager of Hearing System Engineering at Unitron. "This research highlights the impact of advanced signal processing – not just in theory, but in everyday life."

The full study, “Real-world assessment of listener preference for hearing aid technology levels in socially involved situations,” was published in Frontiers in Audiology and Otology and is available here: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/audiology-and-otology/articles/10.3389/fauot.2024.1430992/full

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