Scientific Hearing Aid Evaluation
Better hearing in background noise is the top priority for most hearing aid users.
By presenting 3D spatial audio through an 8-speaker array, in a controlled acoustic environment, HearAdvisor is able to critically assess the speech-in-noise performance of world’s leading hearing aid models. We also evaluate speech amplification in quiet settings, streaming audio quality, feedback handling, and own voice perception. To learn more about our scientific approach, check out the video below, or continue reading. Scientists should read our whitepaper.
When we receive a hearing aid we use it to perform two "fits." For our Initial fit we try to approximate the most likely settings and eartips that an individual with a typical moderate sensorineural hearing loss would experience. After measuring that fit, we move to a Tuned fit where we approximate the "best possible" settings based on audiological best practice.
Once a device is fit, we record that hearing aid in 72 acoustic scenes that differ in terms of the background sound (e.g., cafes and train stations) and talkers (number of talkers and locations). The scenes are created using a ring of 8 speakers with an acoustic manikin in the center. All testing is conducted in a custom-built test lab that is extremely quiet and all surfaces are acoustically treated.
Metrics are computed by passing the recordings of all scenes through a model of the auditory system of an individual with the same hearing loss used to program the device. These numbers are reported on a 5 star scale for convenience. All metrics are combined to a single grade (SoundGrade) using a survey-weighted combination of values. Any device with a SoundGrade of A earns the HearAdvisor Expert Choice Award.
Deliver a better product with HearAdvisor.
Our private, independent hearing aid evaluation lab goes beyond the test box and uses ambisonic recordings presented through an 8-speaker array in a near-anechoic acoustic environment. Our evaluation will identify weak points in your hearing devices and help you understand—privately—how your hearing aids stack up to the latest competition. We'll also provide a list of action items to improve your performance scores, and we'll remeasure your devices after you've addressed any issues, to help make your product more effective, and more competitive.
Choice
Recognizing the best hearing aids in 2024.
HearAdvisor has tested dozens of modern hearing aids to find the best performers for mild-to-moderate hearing loss. Check out our SoundGrade Leaderboard to compare performance scores and audio recordings for all the devices HearAdvisor has evaluated.
