Cochrane corner: hearing aids for mild to moderate hearing loss in adults

Abstract

This Cochrane corner features the review entitled “Hearing aids for mild to moderate hearing loss in adults” published in 2017. In their review, Ferguson et al. identified five randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving 825 participants, with moderate quality of evidence shown for all domains except adverse effects. Results showed a large beneficial effect of hearing aids on hearing-specific health-related quality of life and listening ability, and a small yet significant beneficial effect on overall health-related quality of life. Ferguson et al. concluded that according to the available evidence, hearing aids are effective at improving hearing-specific health-related quality of life, general health-related quality of life and listening ability in adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. The evidence supports the widespread provision of hearing aids as the first-line clinical management for those seeking help for hearing difficulties.

Key Words:

• Hearing aids
• hearing aid satisfaction
• aging
• demographics/epidemiology

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to the Cochrane review authors Padraig Kitterick, Lee Yee Chong, Mark Edmondson-Jones, Fiona Barker, Derek Hoare. This original review presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR, or the UK Department of Health. CGBJ is supported by a NHMRC Research Fellowship (#1142897).

Declaration of interest: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This original review presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR, or the UK Department of Health. CGBJ is supported by a NHMRC Research Fellowship (#1142897).