EBP Compendium: Summary of Systematic Review
Fitting Hearing Aids Using Clinical Measures of Loudness Discomfort Levels: An Evidence-Based Review of Effectiveness
Gustav Mueller, H., & Bentler, R. A.
(2005).
Journal of the American Academy of Audiology, 16(7), 461-472.
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
| Yes |
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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, quasi-experimental, or descriptive research investigating the clinical use of loudness discomfort levels.
Question(s) Addressed:
Are the clinical measurements of loudness discomfort level (LDL) predictive of aided satisfaction with loudness for high inputs in the real world?
Population: Adults with hearing impairment.
Intervention/Assessment: Measurement of loudness discomfort levels
Number of Studies Included: 3
Years Included: 1980 - 2005
Findings:
Conclusions:
- Management
- Hearing
- Hearing Aid Fitting - Loudness Discomfort Levels - "In summary, the evidence shown here tends to support the use of clinically measured frequency-specific LDLs for selecting the real ear maximum output of hearing aids. However, the dearth of studies, the low statistical power of the studies, and the level of evidence prevents us from making a strong recommendation supporting this clinical procedure. Research on this topic employing randomized controlled trials would be a useful addition to this body of literature” (p. 470).
Keywords: Hearing Aids
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Added to Compendium: January 2012