Method and apparatus for analyzing and visualizing the performance of frequency lowering hearing aids

A method of analyzing performance of a frequency lowering hearing aid, the method comprising:

• generating a sequence of successive noise signals, wherein the sequence of successive noise signals comprises a plurality of one-third octave band noise signals, and wherein the sequence of successive noise signals covers a range of frequencies;
• transmitting acoustical sounds from a sound output device in response to the sequence of noise signals;
• recording the acoustical sounds with a sound input device and saving as a first device data;
• recording the acoustical sounds with the sound input device and a frequency lowering hearing aid and saving as a second device data;
• and
• comparing the second device data to the first device data using an arrow-based visualization method comprising generating a single graphical display of changes in center frequencies and output levels of the transmitted noise signal of the first device data and the second device data comprising plotting values of the center frequencies and the output levels of the transmitted noise signal of the first device data, and extending an arrow from the plotted values of the center frequencies and the output levels of the transmitted noise signal of the first device data to values of the center frequencies and the output levels of the transmitted noise signal of the corresponding second device data.