One Hearing Aid... Two Standards

The ANSI '96 standard is a very different standard from the earlier one. Here is an example of what one hearing aid looks like when tested with test sequences based on the old and new standards. Many of the differences are pointed out here as they appear on the test strips.

This new information will help you in understanding the new, more advanced hearing aids.

Also see our table comparing ANSI '87 and ANSI '96.

ANSI '87

ANSI '96

Key:
1: change in terminology
2: reference test gain
3: battery current
4: response limit
5: attack and release
6: telecoil measurement now full frequency test
7: new telecoil calculation
8: multiple input output curves

09/16/99