ArticleAudiology research2025
Gain Analysis of Self-Fitting Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids: A Comparative and Longitudinal Analysis.
Article in Audiology research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- Extremely High Fitting Range and Dangerous Levels Permitted by the Current FDA Guidelines for OTC Hearing Aids and the Need to Consider RECDs.Audiology research · 2026Article
- Over-the-counter hearing aids and integrated health-monitoring sensors: a review of clinical evidence and implementation.Frontiers in digital health · 2026Review
- Preset Hearing Aid Program Selection in Low-Income Communities: A Longitudinal Study.Audiology research · 2025Article
- Are Hearing Aid Benefit and Satisfaction Rates Higher for Traditional or Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids?Seminars in hearing · 2025Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
Abstract
objectivesTo investigate the gain provided by self-fitting over-the-counter (SF-OTC) hearing aids compared to clinical NAL-NL2 targets, the differences between various FDA-approved SF-OTC devices, and potential changes in gain over time.
methodsTwo experiments were conducted: (1) a cross-sectional comparison of six SF-OTC hearing aids (n = 43) and (2) a longitudinal evaluation of gain within five days of self-fitting and four additional time points (n = 15). Real-ear measurements (REMs) were used to measure gain.
resultsSF-OTC hearing aid gain corresponded with 10 dB SPL but not 5 dB SPL criteria from NAL-NL2 targets. Differences between NAL-NL2 targets and gain did not differ significantly between devices. There were no significant changes in gain over time for any input level.
conclusionsSF-OTC hearing aids generally provide user-selected gain levels lower than clinical targets, particularly at higher frequencies. The gain remains stable over time, indicating limited user adjustment after initial fitting. OTC hearing aid manufacturers should consider implementing fitting algorithms that allow for gradual user acclimatization.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.