University of Arizona
Access to affordable and timely hearing healthcare remains a major challenge for many individuals, partly due to the high cost and long turnaround time. This study will explore whether 3D-printed ear tips perform as well as or better than standard ear tips in terms of sound quality, comfort, and fit. It will also compare how long each method takes to make and how much each costs.
Inclusion Criteria: * Normal hearing thresholds (\<25 dB HL) at octave frequencies from 250-8000Hz. * Normal otoscopy: patent ear canals with normal appearing eardrums and aerated middle ear, bilaterally. * English speaking. Exclusion Criteria: * history of extensive or current outer or middle ear pathology. * history of extensive outer or middle ear surgery. * history of neurological or cognitive disorder.
Hearing aids will be fit with three different types of customized ear tips. They will only wear each ear tip group for the duration of the test (total = 20 minutes). Hearing aids will be programmed to a simulated mild, flat, sensorineural hearing loss of 40 dB HL from 250-8000Hz. A short washout period will follow completion of testing with ear ear tip group.
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