The insertion gain measured in 34 children of up to 6 years of age wit
h symmetrical sensorineural hearing loss, who were fitted successfully
with binaural hearing aids, was compared in retrospect to the calcula
ted insertion gain using two different prescriptive methods: the half-
gain rule (HGR) and the desired sensation level method (DSL). The meas
ured and calculated values were in fair agreement with the results of
both of the prescription methods. The desired saturated sound pressure
levels calculated using the DSL method and those measured on a 2-cc c
oupler were in fair agreement.