The National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL), a global leader in hearing research, has announced the launch of its next-generation hearing aid fitting prescription, NAL-NL3. Designed to support a broader range of individuals with hearing difficulties—including those with no measurable hearing loss—this new system aims to fill longstanding gaps in hearing healthcare.
The update follows the widespread success of NAL-NL2, released 15 years ago, which remains the most widely used prescription worldwide for fitting hearing aids. With NAL-NL3, NAL introduces a modular system that provides both a general prescription and targeted solutions for specific clinical populations and hearing needs.
One of the most notable features is a module specifically developed for people who experience difficulty hearing in noisy environments but are typically told they do not qualify for hearing aids.
“The NAL-NL3 system addresses critical needs in clinical and consumer hearing care by providing a general prescription for most situations and modules for specific needs. One of our modules is the first prescription that we are aware of that provides a solution for individuals with minimal or no audiometric hearing loss but who struggle with hearing in noisy environments. We estimate that up to 30 per cent of people who visit hearing clinics with hearing difficulties are told they have ‘normal’ hearing and are not considered candidates for a hearing aid. This new NAL-NL3 module will give hearing care providers a solution to help these individuals currently being denied hearing help.”
–Dr Brent Edwards, Director of NAL
The system is designed to evolve over time. Additional modules are planned, with the goal of enhancing access and personalization in hearing care.
“It’s more than just an improvement; it’s a transformative step forward in hearing aid-fitting prescriptions,” added Dr Edwards. “NAL-NL3 is designed to help clinicians and consumers address issues that have long been overlooked.”
According to NAL, two initial modules are launching with the new system: one for people with hearing-in-noise difficulty but minimal measurable hearing loss, and another focused on improving listening comfort in noisy settings without sacrificing speech understanding.
“Before creating NAL-NL3, it was crucial we first understood the gaps in hearing health care where fitting prescriptions were not addressing the needs of people with hearing difficulty,” said Dr Edwards. “Through our research, we identified two key areas where NAL-NL3 modules could have the biggest impact.”
A Modular System for a Changing Field
The modular design of NAL-NL3 allows for flexibility and future expansion.
“We are moving away from a one-size-fits-all prescription to a system that will continue to evolve with new modules. We’re starting with the minimal loss and comfort-in-noise modules, but we’ll add more over time. That’s what makes NAL-NL3 so exciting – it’s a game-changer,” said Dr Padraig Kitterick, Head of Audiological Science at NAL and lead researcher for the new system.
Dr. Kitterick emphasized the broader impact of hearing difficulties on overall wellbeing:
“Our goal is to transform the lives of people with hearing difficulties, no matter the type. Hearing loss can take a serious toll on health and wellbeing. For example, people who struggle to hear in noisy settings often withdraw from social activities, feeling isolated when they can’t fully engage in conversations.”
A research participant who trialed hearing aids fitted with NAL-NL3 shared their experience:
“I really enjoyed having the opportunity to hear better in those [noisy] situations. I feel quite hopeful that in the future there may be an option for me to get hearing aids and enjoy being my social self in loud environments.”
Since the 1970s, NAL has been a leader in hearing aid fitting prescriptions, having developed NAL-NL1 in 1999 and NAL-NL2 in 2011. The organization is working with hearing aid manufacturers and clinics to integrate NAL-NL3, with the new system expected to be available later this year.
For more information, visit NAL’s website.
