Improved Speech Recognition in Adults With Conductive or Mixed Hearing Loss Using a Direct-to-Consumer Bone-Conduction Device: A Multiple Methods Intervention Study

This multiple methods study assessed the acceptability and efficacy of a low cost self-fitted bone-conduction device in adults. We found the device provides hearing benefit for those with conductive or mixed hearing loss (with bone conduction thresholds <50dB HL). Those with significant conductive hearing loss were measured to have their speech perception significantly improved. Participants had a mixed response to device aesthetics. Further studies should seek to establish if this type of device has effectiveness in real-world trials and which individuals are most likely to benefit. This low cost device could provide hearing benefits to millions of people without access to other devices. Product designers and clinical researchers should explore device optimization. Given the economic impacts of hearing loss across the globe, this style of self-fitted device could represent a paradigm shift in future assistive technology for hearing loss, in both high and low resource settings.