Wind noise within and across behind-the-ear and miniature behind-the-ear hearing aids

J Acoust Soc Am. 2015 Oct;138(4):2291-300. doi: 10.1121/1.4931442.

Abstract

Previous studies investigated wind noise with Behind-The-Ear (BTE) hearing aids, but not the more common mini-BTE style of device, which typically has a smaller shell and microphones located more deeply behind the pinna. The current study investigated wind-noise levels across one BTE and two mini-BTE devices, and between the front and rear omni-directional microphones within devices. Levels were measured at two wind speeds (3 and 6 m/s) and 36 wind azimuths (10° increments). The pattern of wind-noise level versus azimuth was similar across mini-BTE devices, and differed for the BTE device. However, mean levels were markedly different across mini-BTE devices, and could be higher, lower, or similar to those of the BTE device. For within-device level differences, the pattern and mean across azimuth were similar across mini-BTE devices, and differed for the BTE device. Wind noise had the potential to slightly or severely reduce speech intelligibility at 3 or 6 m/s, respectively, across all devices.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Acoustics
  • Calibration
  • Ear, External
  • Equipment Design
  • Hearing Aids*
  • Humans
  • Miniaturization
  • Noise*
  • Transducers, Pressure
  • Wind*