The Effects of Different Frequency Lowering Technologies’ Performances on Speech in Noise Test

Objective: Hearing instrument manufacturers have developed 3 different frequency lowering technologies, especially to compensate for the perceptual effects of high-frequency hearing loss. We aimed to compare the effects of 3 different frequency lowering methods. Methods: We assigned 132 participants who had bilateral, symmetrical, high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss into groups with hearing aids having frequency compression, frequency transposition, and frequency composition strategies. By hearing measurements, participants' hearing thresholds and speech discrimination/speech in noise scores with and without different frequency lowering technologies were obtained. Results: Hearing aids incorporated with frequency compression, frequency transposition, and frequency composition had significant speech discrimination benefits with similar outcomes (P <.05). Conclusion: Three different frequency lowering technologies had similar outcomes regarding speech discrimination and speech in noise improvements. It is better to use frequency lowering technologies to better speech discrimination/speech in noise scores in adults.