Hearing Aid Noise Reduction in Pediatric Users (Oticon Study)

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of OpenSound Navigator (OSN), a hearing aid speech-enhancement algorithm developed by Oticon, as treatment for pediatric hearing aid users. Using a double-blind experimental design, the investigators aim to compare two treatment groups of pediatric (ages 6-12) patients with symmetrical sensorineural hearing losses ranging from the mild to moderately-severe degree. One group will be fit with bilateral Oticon OPN™ behind-the-ear hearing aids set with an omni-directional microphone setting. The other group will be fit with the same hearing aid model with the OSN algorithm enabled. Participants from the groups will be age and audiogram-matched. The investigators will evaluate hearing aid benefit through word recognition in noise (behavioral testing) and everyday hearing/listening abilities (parental/legal guardian reported) at hearing aid fitting and 6-8 months post fitting.