EBP Compendium: Summary of Systematic Review
Effectiveness of Directional Microphones and Noise Reduction Schemes in Hearing Aids: A Systematic Review of the Evidence
Bentler, R. A.
(2005).
Journal of the American Academy of Audiology, 16(7), 473-484.
Indicators of Review Quality:
|
The review addresses a clearly focused question
| Yes |
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Criteria for inclusion of studies are provided
| Yes |
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Search strategy is described in sufficient detail for replication
| No |
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Included studies are assessed for study quality
| Yes |
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Quality assessments are reproducible
| Yes |
Description: This is a systematic review of randomized controlled trials, nonrandomized intervention studies and descriptive studies investigating the effectiveness of directional microphones and noise reduction schemes in hearing aids.
Question(s) Addressed:
Do experienced/trained users of hearing aids with directional microphones report better amplification outcomes in daily life than users of hearing aids without directional microphones?
Population: Adults with hearing impairment.
Intervention/Assessment: Hearing aids with directional microphones
Number of Studies Included: 9
Years Included: Not stated
Findings:
Conclusions:
- Management
- Hearing
- Hearing Aids - Directional Microphones
- “Based on the data reviewed herein, directional microphones offer additional advantage over amplification alone. That advantage appears to be optimized by both a user-controlled switch and training regarding environment-specific use. The noise reduction feature, with all the various manufacturer-specific implementation, shows a modest inclination toward improved listening ease in select environments. More studies specifically designed to address that feature are necessary before its effectiveness is understood and the results are conveyed to the clinical population” (p. 482).
Keywords: Hearing Loss, Directional Microphones, Hearing Aids
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Added to Compendium: December 2011