An exploration of associations between hearing aid self-efficacy and other measurable characteristics of naïve and experienced hearing aid users

Abstract

Objective

The present study aimed to clarify the associations between Hearing Aid Self-efficacy (HASE) and other traits such as working memory, personality and hearing aid (HA) experience.

Design and study sample

Fifty-four adults (both naïve and experienced HA users) were included in this exploratory descriptive study. Their working memory, personality, HASE, HA experience and practical HA skills were evaluated.

Results

HA experience had a significant positive association with self-efficacy for basic and advanced HA handling abilities. Working memory and personality traits were not related to HASE. For the experienced HA users, HASE was not related to HA skills. However, the openness personality trait had a significant positive association with HA skills.

Conclusions

The positive association between HASE and HA experience supported the theory that HASE might be improved through mastery experiences. Possessing certain cognitive abilities or specific personality traits is not a prerequisite for having high HASE. This study also supports previous findings that HASE is not related to HA skills, bringing into question whether improving HASE will also improve HA outcomes. However, for experienced participants, aspects of personality and cognition might play a role in mediating the association between HASE and HA skills.

Keywords:

• Hearing aid self-efficacy
• working-memory
• personality
• hearing aid skills
• hearing aid experience
• openness

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge everyone who supported us in completing this study. Special thanks to the Memphis Speech and Hearing Center and the Memphis Hearing Aid who supported us in recruiting research participants for this study. We also would like to thank Mr. George Relyea and Dr. Meredith Ray, University of Memphis, for their advice on statistical analyses.

Disclosure statement

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial relationships to disclose. There was no funding associated with this research.