How can we predict the success of a hearing aid, given that two patients with the same average hearing loss may respond very differently? This is the question addressed by a new study conducted by the reConnect Institute atHearing Institute CeRIAH, Institut Pasteur Center), in collaboration with Amplifon, published on March 19 in the journal Audiology & Neurotology and based on an analysis of data from more than 20,000 affected individuals.
This publication is part of the dissertation* by Perrine Morvan, an audiologist and doctoral student in the team led by Hung Thai-Van, co-director of the Center for Research and Innovation in Human Audiology at the reConnect Institute.
Today, when a person is able and willing to use a hearing aid to address their hearing loss, clinical recommendations rely heavily on pure-tone audiometry (PTA) and speech recognition tests in quiet and noisy environments. These measurements do not capture the full range of situations patients encounter, nor do they reflect how hearing loss evolves in daily life after receiving a hearing aid.
To address these limitations, Perrine Morvan’s dissertation—conducted at the reConnect Institute, a foundation under the auspices ofInstitut Pasteur, and defended in January 2026—explores three complementary areas. First, a patient-centered approach that helps document patients’ needs and goals. Second, the development of a new speech-in-noise test that balances realism and reproducibility. Finally, the identification of audiometric profiles to predict the best outcomes of hearing rehabilitation based on each of these profiles. The research demonstrates that there are two main factors influencing the success of hearing aid fitting: audiological factors (settings, signal processing, type, brand, and technology level of the device) and non-audiological factors (the patient’s age, daily wear time, and frequency of appointments with the audiologist). By combining functional assessment with subjective perception and large-scale analyses, this thesis paves the way for more personalized hearing rehabilitation.
Two patients with the same average hearing loss may have very different audiometric profiles and speech recognition scores in quiet and noisy environments, and may therefore benefit from different hearing aid fitting strategies. Drawing on a database compiled over several years, Perrine Morvan has cross-referenced hearing measurements, functional performance, and follow-up data to go beyond standard classifications.
Better predicting the benefits of hearing aids
The study presents eight audiometric profiles covering a wide range, from mild age-related hearing loss to profound hearing loss, including atypical profiles (see Figure 2 of the study).
The eight audiometric profiles presented in the study (Illustration from Perinne Morvan’s thesis defense)
These profiles reveal very different patterns of improvement, particularly when it comes to understanding speech in noisy or quiet environments.
“ Understanding the nuances of hearing means providing better care,” says Perrine Morvan.
The eight profiles developed provide a more accurate measure of hearing aid effectiveness than the severity criterion alone, as assessed by pure-tone audiometry.
A large cohort
The study is based on a population of more than 20,000 participants aged 50 or older with symmetrical hearing in both ears. The data were collected from a series of tests conducted under the same conditions: a comprehensive tone audiometry test, a speech recognition test in quiet (SRTQ), and a speech recognition test in noise (SRTN). The vast majority of patients showed improved speech recognition in quiet and in noise after receiving hearing aids.
Toward Precision Audiology
At the heart of this approach lies a patient-centered vision. Visual guides have been developed that are useful not only for hearing care professionals in adjusting their strategies, but also for patients in visualizing their situation and their realistic prospects for improvement, enabling them to set realistic expectations.
These findings reflect the commitment of researchers at the reConnect Institute to advancing precision audiology, where each individual receives care that is precisely tailored to their profile and actual needs. One of the goals of this study is to expand this approach to a broader range of individuals, beyond the adults over 50 who were studied here.
The eight current audiometric profiles provide a starting point for addressing a wider range of clinical scenarios, such as those involving younger patients or those with asymmetric hearing loss.
Reference:
From Hearing Patterns to Functional Outcomes: Quantifying Audiometric Profiles for Precision Hearing Care
Perrine Morvan, Corresponding Author; Marta Campi, Corresponding Author; Guillaume Staerman; Pauline Roger; Fabien Auberger; Catherine Boiteux; Alexandre Osty; Paul Avan; Bernard Fraysse; Hung Thai-Van
https://doi.org/10.1159/000551057
*Perrine Morvan’s dissertation is a CIFRE thesis: an Industrial Agreement for Training through Research (in this case with Amplifon), a funding program supported by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation.
