Do We Need Audiogram-Based Prescriptions? A Systematic Review

International Journal of Audiology

Almufarrij, I., Dillon, H., et al. (2023).

International Journal of Audiology, 62(6), 500-511.

This systematic review and meta-analysis investigates the outcomes for people with hearing loss with hearing aids programed using validated audiogram-based prescription and verified using real-ear measures versus hearing aids without audiogram-based prescriptions.

NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (United Kingdom); King Saud University (Saudi Arabia)

Not specified

Randomized controlled trials, non-randomized controlled trials, and cross-over designs

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<p>Findings demonstrated:</p> <ul> <li>no significant difference between the comparative fitting and audiogram-based approaches performed by hearing specialists regarding self-reported benefit and speech intelligibility in quiet, but improved speech intelligibility for the audiogram-based approach;</li> <li>a superiority of the audiogram-based prescription approach over the client choice approach in the areas of hearing-specific health-related quality of life and listening ability. Insignificant improvements in speech discrimination in quiet was noted for the client choice approach. No significant differences between groups were noted in the areas of speech discrimination in noise and sound quality in both quiet and noisy environments; and</li> <li>a superiority of the self-fit approach over the audiogram-based prescription approach in the areas of listening preferences and sound quality. No significant differences were noted between the two approaches in the areas of speech discrimination and self-reported listening ability.</li> </ul> <p>Limitations to this review include paucity of available research and reduced overall quality of evidence of included studies. Further research is warranted.</p>