Patent ID: 7599499

Claim:
A method for prescribing an initial setting of signal processing parameters in a hearing aid to the needs of a hearing aid user, comprising the steps of: gathering and storing in electronic form by a computer a first set of data concerning the user's audiological function, gathering and storing in electronic form by the computer a second set of data indicating the level of cognitive function possessed by the user, said data being selected from the group consisting of the user's age, the user's medical records, the user's present or previous occupation, a performance test designed to measure cognitive function, and information derived from conversation with the user or persons associated with the user, and computing by the computer from a combination of said first and second sets of data at least one suggested initial setting of signal processing parameters of the hearing aid, said signal processing parameters being selected from the group consisting of gain, frequency response, compression ratio, compression time constants and volume control action, and wherein the audiometric data of the user are used to determine whether a rationale which uses WDRC is suggested, and when a rationale comprising WDRC is prescribed, an initial setting having compression release time constants below 400 milliseconds are suggested for users with cognitive skills at or above average, and a prescribed initial setting using compression release time constants above 400 milliseconds are suggested for users with cognitive skills below average.