Clinical performance of a smartphone-based sound amplification device versus a personal sound amplification product in elders with mild-to-moderate hearing loss: a prospective cohort study
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Background and Objectives: To evaluate the clinical performance of a smartphone-based sound amplification device (SBSAD) compared to a conventional personal sound amplification product (PSAP) in older adults with mild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), ad-dressing the need for accessible alternatives given the low adoption of traditional hearing aids. Materials and Methods: Forty-nine participants (mean age 68 years) with mild-to-moderate SNHL underwent audiometric testing and subjective evaluation under three conditions: unaided, aided with a commercial PSAP, and aided with an SBSAD (iPhone with wireless earbuds). Primary outcomes included functional gain in sound field thresholds and user ratings of sound quality and acceptability via a custom questionnaire. Results: Both devices yielded significant threshold improvements compared to the unaided condition (p < 0.001). Mean functional gain was 16.0 dB for the PSAP and 15.3 dB for the SBSAD, with no statistically significant difference (p > 0.5). Subjective ratings for sound quality, comfort, cosmetic acceptability, and future willingness to use were comparable between devices (all p > 0.05). Conclusions: The SBSAD performed equivalently to a traditional PSAP in improving audibility and user satisfaction. Smartphone-based technologies offer a viable, accessible mobile health solution to bridge the gap for older adults who lack conventional hearing aids.
Date Issued
2026-03-09
Date Acceptance
2026-03-07
Citation
Medicina, 2026, 62 (3)
ISSN
1010-660X
Publisher
MDPI
Journal / Book Title
Medicina
Volume
62
Issue
3
Copyright Statement
© 2026 by the authors. Published by MDPI on behalf of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license.
License URL
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
516
Date Publish Online
2026-03-10