What does acoustic gain measure in decibels?

Acoustic gain measures the difference in intensity between the input and output signal of a hearing aid, expressed in decibels. This measurement is crucial because it indicates how effectively a hearing aid amplifies sound for the user. Specifically, it reflects how much louder the sound becomes after passing through the hearing aid, providing a clear and quantifiable way to assess the device’s performance in enhancing hearing.

The other choices pertain to different aspects of hearing aids. The maximum output level refers to the loudest sound a hearing aid can produce without distortion, while the frequency response describes how the hearing aid responds to different frequencies of sound, affecting how various pitches are amplified. The threshold of hearing is a measure of the faintest sounds an average person can hear across different frequencies, which is unrelated to the concept of acoustic gain. Understanding acoustic gain is vital for audiologists and hearing aid dispensers to tailor devices to their clients' specific hearing needs, ensuring optimal sound amplification and clarity.