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Original Article

Changing characteristics of first-time hearing aid applicants in The Netherlands in the past decade

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Pages 211-217 | Received 29 Aug 2002, Accepted 04 Apr 2003, Published online: 07 Jul 2009
 

Abstract

This study assessed changes in the characteristics of firsttime hearing aid applicants in the past decade. Age, gender, date, type and ear of first hearing aid and audiometry were determined for a sample of 705 firsttime hearing aid applicants. Thirteen cohorts resulted, according to the year of first visit to the dispenser. Differences in age, hearing loss, gender and type and ear of first hearing aid between cohorts were analysed. The mean age of first-time hearing aid users increased from 59.52 years in 1987 to 71.84 years in 1999. The mean pure-tone average hearing loss in the better ear (1, 2 and 4 kHz) decreased from 69.06 dB in 1987 to 51.86 dB in 1999. Relatively more males than females were fitted with hearing aids. Our conclusions are that people are being fitted with hearing aids at older ages and with smaller degrees of hearing loss.

Sumario

En este estudio se evaluaron los cambios en las características de quienes solicitaron por primera vez auxiliares auditivos (AA) en la década pasada. Se analizaron edad, género, fecha, tipo y oído que usó el primer AA y la audiometría de 705 solicitantes primerizos de AA. Resultaron 13 cohortes de acuerdo con el año de la primera visita al proveedor. Se analizaron diferencias en edad, pérdida auditiva, género y tipo y oído primeramente adaptado y las que hubo entre cohortes. La edad promedio de los usuarios primerizos de AA aumentó de 59,52 an˜os en 1987 a 71.84 en 1999. La media del promedio de pérdida con tonos puros en el mejor oído (1, 2 y 4 kHz) disminuyó de 69,06 en 1987 a 51.86 en 1999. Se adaptaron AA relativamente a más hombres que mujeres. Concluimos que se están adaptando AA a personas de mayor edad y con menores grados de pérdida auditiva.

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