Evaluating the Clinical Effectiveness of a Community-based Hearing Aid Fitting Service Delivery Model Facilitated by Community Healthcare Workers (CHWs) Providing Smartphone-based In-situ and Pre-set Hearing Aid Fittings in Low- and Middle-income Communities (LMICs)

The Lexie Lumens (Lexie Hearing) are self-fitting wireless air conduction hearing aids consisting of 16 channels, wide-dynamic-range compression technology, feedback reduction, Bluetooth connectivity and programming, digital noise reduction, and a directional microphone array. These hearing aids will be sourced at a cost of $240 USD per pair as this study will be conducted in low-income settings. The hearing aids allow for Bluetooth in-situ hearing aid fitting using the Lexie proprietary fitting algorithm that is based on the NAL/NL2 algorithm from a smartphone application (Lexie Hearing) based on the four hearing thresholds tested. These digital hearing aids were designed for use by adults over the age of 18 years with known or self-perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss. The Lexie Lumens are behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids powered by replaceable batteries. Individuals can conduct an in-situ hearing test via the hearing aids for customized amplification or select a minimal gain.

Go Ultras (GoHearing) are rechargeable, BTE pre-set hearing aids with advanced audio features, digital sound processing and Bluetooth-streaming capabilities. Designed for adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss, these hearing aids have four unique programs that the user can manually change to ensure optimal listening comfort. These devices have both program and volume memory functions, as well as noise and wind noise reduction. Go Ultras will be sourced at a cost of less than $130 USD per pair, as this study will be conducted in low-income settings.