Interacoustics recently launched a new test – the Aided Cortical test. The test is used by clinicians to validate that hearing aids have been fitted successfully in infants and other patient groups who cannot subjectively respond to a hearing test. 

According to Morten Bagger, Senior Product Management, ABR/OAE, Interacoustics, the test provides hearing care professionals with a new opportunity to provide even better hearing care for certain population groups, for instance infants.

“Compared to earlier, we see that infants with hearing loss are identified and diagnosed much earlier due to effective newborn hearing screening programs. This also means that early intervention and hearing aid fitting has been made possible. However, when it comes to validating if a hearing aid has been fitted successfully in a young child, assessment possibilities have been limited. Until now,” Morten Bagger says.

The Aided Cortical test is available as a module for the existing Interacoustics Eclipse Auditory Brainstem Response system. Aided cortical testing measures the brain's response to speech sounds amplified via a hearing aid or a cochlear implant, and the test is performed in a free-field set-up on the awake patient. The test has been developed by Interacoustics and the Interacoustics Research Unit (IRU) with the involvement from external collaboration partners as well.

According to Morten Bagger, the new tool is a great example of ‘Science made smarter – Interacoustics’ brand promise to their customers and when applied will make a difference for hearing care professionals and their patients:

“With this tool, clinicians can feel confident that the patient’s hearing aids are working as intended, and they can use the outcome of the test to reassure parents or other relatives that the patient benefits from the hearing aid. Also, they can make informed adjustments to the hearing aid settings if needed,” he explains.