BACKGROUND: Speech audiometry is decisive in selecting hearing aid,but it is seldom used in clinic in China.OBJECTIVE: To understand the differences in the speech resolution with speech audiometry between in-the-ear (ITE) and behind-the-ear (BTE)hearing aids.DESIGN: Paired controlled study.SETTING: Auditory Center of the 414 Hospital of Chinese PLA, Auditory Rehabilitation Center of Jiangsu Province.PARTICIPANTS: A total of 62 patients with auditory disability were selected from the Auditory Center of the 414 Hospital of Chinese PLA and Auditory Rehabilitation Center of Jiangsu Province. Among 32 ITE hearing aid users, average hearing loss at 500, 1 000, 2 000 and 4 000 Hz, was less than 85 dB, and the patients were aged from 16 to 60 years. Among 30 BTE hearing aid users, average hearing loss at 500, 1 000, 2 000 and 4 000 Hz, was also less than 85 dB, and the patients were aged from 16 to 60 years. All patients were consent.METHODS: Open and close methods were adopted for speech audiometry among ITE and BTE hearing aids users. Monosyllabic and disyllabic words were chosen as the type of speech and 20 words were given to one ear, respectively.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Comparison of speech resolution with monosyllabic and disyllabic words test between ITE and BTE hearing aid.RESULTS: In aspect of the effect of ITE and BTE hearing aids, there were no significant differences of both monosyllabic and disyllabic words no matter through open or close method (P ＞ 0.05). At the opening state, there were significant differences in resolution of monosyllabic and disyllabic words (P ＜ 0.05); while, there were no significant differences (P ＞ 0.05) at the closing state.CONCLUSION: Carrying out speech audiometry in the selection hearing aid is influenced by many factors.