Compression remains one of the most critical yet debated aspects of hearing aid signal processing. While it restores audibility and dynamic range for soft sounds, inappropriate compression settings can introduce envelope distortion, reduce musical fidelity, and contribute to listening fatigue. This panel explores how compression parameters interact with perceptual and cognitive load across speech and music listening conditions.

Recent psychoacoustic and physiological evidence suggests that auditory fatigue arises not only from cognitive effort but also from the temporal and spectral inconsistencies introduced by signal processing. Building on experimental findings comparing speech and music stimuli, the panel will highlight how the brain’s adaptive mechanisms respond differently to compressed speech versus complex musical sounds.

Through a multidisciplinary lens—spanning auditory neuroscience, psychoacoustics, clinical audiology, and signal processing—the discussion will aim to bridge the gap between laboratory data and hearing aid fitting practices. The session will conclude with recommendations for evidence-based compression strategies that balance clarity, comfort, and naturalness in both communication and musical enjoyment.