Hearing Aid Test

Hearing Aid Test is a tool that measures the hearing aid's performance to compare the test box results to the custom data sheet if desired. Based on ANSI protocol, Pro Fit provides three different settings that can be used: Full On Gain, User Gain, and Reference Test Gain. Full on Gain sets the aids to full on gain to measure manufacturing specifications in a test box, User Gain sets the aids to gain settings programmed by the professional to test individual adaptive features, and Reference Test Gain sets the aids to the appropriate gain setting to test volume control gain, the telecoil, and compression ratios. Only one setting can be selected at a time; if one test is currently in progress and another is selected, the previous test is stopped, and the new test is started.

The hearing aid(s) can be disconnected if necessary to reach the test box during any test. However, once any test is complete, the hearing aid(s) must be returned to the user settings before exiting this screen; therefore, the aid(s) must be reconnected prior to resetting. If the hearing aid(s) is not reconnected and Pro Fit is closed without resetting, the aid(s) is Best Fit the next time it's connected.

Select hearing aids can be tested outside of Pro-Fit by disabling Bluetooth, which disconnects the device(s) from the fitting session. Once the tests are complete if Bluetooth cannot be re-enabled, the fitting must be restarted, and the aid(s) must be rebooted. The aid(s) is Best Fit the next time it's connected.

  1. Connect and select the desired hearing aid(s) to test via Connect.
  2. Click Connect.
  3. Click Hearing Aid Test from the Left Navigation Menu.
    Note:  Regardless of the graphical view currently selected, 2cc Coupler Output and Input Type: Sinusoid displays on the fitting graph while on this screen.
  4. Pro Fit automatically defaults to a binaural view if applicable. To test only the right or left hearing aid, click Select Right Only or Select Left Only.
    Note:  Different tests can be performed on each aid at the same time if desired. If testing CROS/BiCROS devices, only the receiver aid can be tested, therefore, the side cannot be selected.
  5. Test via Full On Gain, User Gain, or Reference Test Gain, or disable Bluetooth to test outside Pro Fit.
    Note:  Once a test is selected, the hearing aid(s) is automatically unmuted (only if muted before starting the test). If desired, the hearing aid(s) can be muted while the test is in progress.
    Note:  If any settings are changed during the tests, they can't be undone.

Full On GainFull On Gain

  1. Click Full On Gain and a warning message to remove the hearing aid(s) from the patient’s ear(s) displays.
    Note:  The button changes to blue, indicating that the test is in progress and the button "Return to User Settings" is enabled. In addition, a "Full On Gain" watermark appears across the frequency response curves.
  2. Remove the hearing aid(s) from the patient’s ear(s) and click OK.
    Note:  The hearing aid(s) is not set to full on gain until OK is selected. This test can only be performed in Program 1. All adaptive features are turned OFF, and the directional microphone is set to Omni. No setting can be changed while this test is in progress.
  3. Once the test box is complete, click Return to User Settings to set the hearing aid(s) back to the previous settings before exiting the screen, or click Full On Gain again.
    Note:  A message displays if another Pro Fit screen is accessed before returning the hearing aid(s) to user settings. Click OK to reset the aid(s).

User GainUser Gain

  1. Click User Gain.
    Note: The button changes to blue, indicating that the test is in progress , and the button "Return to User Settings" is enabled. Probe microphone measurements can be completed without the adaptive features' influence.
  2. Click on the specific program to test if applicable.
  3.  Select the desired setting from the drop-down list to test an adaptive feature.
    Note:  Adaptive features can only be adjusted during this test and not during Full On Gain or Reference Test Gain. The settings available are based on the hearing aid connected and the state of the adaptive feature. For example, Static will only be available for Feedback Canceller if a successful initialization has occurred during the current fitting.
  4. To test a different program, repeat steps 2-3.
  5. Once the test is complete, click Return to User Settings to set the hearing aid(s) back to the previous settings before exiting the screen or click User Gain again.
    Note:  A message displays if another Pro Fit screen is accessed before returning the hearing aid(s) to user settings. Click OK to reset the aid(s).

Reference Test GainReference Test Gain

  1. Click Reference Test Gain and a warning message to remove the hearing aid(s) from the patient’s ear(s) displays.
    Note:  The button changes to blue, indicating that the test is in progress and the button "Return to User Settings" is enabled.
  2. Remove the hearing aid(s) from the patient’s ear(s) and click OK.
    Note:  The hearing aid(s) is not set to the appropriate gain setting until OK is selected. This test can only be performed in Program 1.
    Note:  Programs 1 and 2 are shown as Personal, and Programs 3 and 4 are shown as Telecoil. The recommended volume control RTG level per ear side is also displayed.
  3. To test a different volume control gain, click or to increase or decrease the reference test gain binaurally, or drag the slider bars Adjust gain all right Adjust gain all left to increase or decrease the gain per ear side.
  4. To test a specific program, click the radio button representing the desired preset/program.
    Note:  Directional (Program 2) is only enabled if the hearing aid supports a directional system and Telecoil (Program 3) and Telecoil M/T (Program 4) are only enabled if the hearing aid contains an induction coil.
  5. To select a different compression ratio, click the radio or ratio button representing the desired ratio.
    Note:  These buttons are only enabled if Omni (Program 1) is selected. Selecting 3:1 decreases loud gain to its lowest possible setting.
  6. Once the test is complete, click Return to User Settings to set the hearing aid(s) back to the previous settings before exiting the screen or click Reference Test Gain again.
    Note:  A message displays if another Pro Fit screen is accessed before returning the hearing aid(s) to user settings. Click OK to reset the aid(s).

Disable Bluetooth connectivityDisable Bluetooth connectivity

  1. Click Disable Bluetooth connectivity and a message that the hearing aid(s) is no longer connected displays.
    Note:  The button is disabled.
  2. Click OK.
    Note:  Pro Fit automatically attempts to reestablish connection with the hearing aid(s) for 15 seconds. If this is unsuccessful, a message indicates the specific side(s) that went out of range with instructions to reestablish the connection. Click OK. If the connection is not reestablished, a message indicates the hearing aid(s) is not found. Click OK. Bluetooth cannot be re-enabled if 'Cancel' is selected for either message.
  3. Perform the desired tests.
  4. Once the tests are complete, if Bluetooth can be re-enabled, press and hold the rocker switch or push button, if available, to reestablish connection and resume the fitting. If Bluetooth cannot be re-enabled, restart the fitting and reboot the aid(s).
    Note:  The aid(s) will be Best Fit the next time it's connected.