Conformity of the real-ear aided response with the target response from the DSL v5 formula

Objectives: Real ear measurement plays a critical role in children’s hearing aid fitting. This study aimed to evaluate the conformity of measured and predicted real-ear aided response (REAR) of prescribed formula desired sensation level (DSL) v5 Pediatric in children aged 4 to 7 years. Since there is limited information about the effect of the degree of hearing loss (DOHL), ethnicity, gender, and ear on this conformity, the present study investigated the influence of the mentioned factors. Methods: This study was conducted on 92 children 4-7 years old (37 girls and 55 boys) with moderate to profound hearing loss. After auditory evaluations, the children’s hearing aid was fitted based on the DSL v5 Pediatric formula. Then, the hearing aid output was measured with real ear measurement system and the difference between predicted and measured curves was compared. Results: This study was showed significant difference between the predicted values and the measured ones in three intensity level inputs (50, 65, and 80 dB SPL) and frequencies range of 0.5 to 6 kHz for both ears (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between predicted and measured values curves (predicted-measured), in terms of the effects of the DOHL, gender, ethnicity, and ear (P>0.05). Discussion: Given the results of the present study and the difference observed between predicted and measured curve, especially at the frequencies of 6 and 4 kHz, it is essential to conduct real ear measurement in children.