Subjective hearing-related quality-of-life is a major factor in the decision to continue using hearing aids among older persons

Abstract

Conclusion: Audiological parameters alone do not determine the choice to use hearing aids (HA). Subjective hearing-related QoL is a major factor that determines whether or not an older person will continue to wear HA.

Objective: This study aimed to identify which audiological parameters and quality-of-life (QoL) measures determine whether or not older persons will continue wearing HA.

Methods: Charts of 157 patients aged ≥65 years who attended the HA service unit at the Otolaryngology Department were retrospectively reviewed. After HA fitting and a trial, the patients were divided into groups, depending upon whether or not they wanted to continue wearing the HA (users, 58.2%; non-users, 41.8%) and then audiological parameters were compared between them. At least 4 months after the HA fitting, the self-reported QoL questionnaire, Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE), was mailed to all 157 patients and HHIE scores were compared between HA users and non-users.

Result: Speech discrimination score and dynamic range did not significantly differ between HA users and non-users. A difference in the average hearing threshold was marginally significant. The response rate to the HHIE was 65.2%. Total HHIE and emotional scores were higher (more impaired) among HA users than non-users.

Keywords:

• Hearing aids
• presbycusis
• Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly
• average hearing threshold
• speech discrimination
• dynamic range

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.