20Q is a monthly column on AudiologyOnline that summarizes research and emerging research in various areas of audiology and hearing science. 20Q tackles a new topic each month, and presents it as a friendly, conversational, question-and-answer discussion with leading experts. It provides analysis, insight and clinical tips for audiologists. 20Q: Frequency Lowering Amplification is a special series in the 20Q column, which focuses on a specific concept in hearing aid amplification, frequency lowering. Frequency lowering amplification is a new hearing aid technology that can enable people with severe high frequency hearing loss to hear important high frequency speech sounds, like consonants. The ability to hear these sounds is especially important for children with hearing loss to develop speech and language, but is also important for hearing impaired adults to understand conversations. Since frequency lowering technology is new, there is little peer reviewed literature and no best practice guidelines on its application. Audiologists seeking direction on its clinical use to benefit their patients are left to rely on the hearing aid companies who manufacture the technology, rather than on evidenced-based, unbiased sources. The 20Q: Frequency Lowering Amplification article series provides a comprehensive technical explanation of the technology, how and when to use it with patients, how to measure patient outcomes with the technology, and covers clinical tips and pitfalls. It uses an engaging question-and-answer format with two leading experts in this area (Alexander and Scollie), one of whom has a patent pending for an iteration of the technology, along with a third audiology expert (Mueller) who focuses and guides the discussion. The 20Q: Frequency Lowering Amplification series has quickly become the go-to resource guide for selecting and fitting frequency lowering technology, which has real potential to change lives when used appropriately. Feedback from practicing audiologists has been overwhelming, supporting the fact that this article series has helped them to better serve their patients with hearing loss.
