Use of technological aids and interpretation services among children and adults with hearing loss

Abstract

Objectives: The technological development of communication aids for people with hearing loss has progressed rapidly over the last decades. Quality has improved and the number of different types of aids has increased. However, few studies have examined the prevalence of technology use and interpreting services use among people with hearing loss as they relate to demographic characteristics of this population. Design: This study reports from national surveys of children and adults with hearing loss. Use of hearing aids, cochlear implants, other aids and interpreting services were analysed with regard to gender, age, degree of hearing loss, mode of communication, having an additional disability, level of educational achievement among adults, and whether or not children lived together with both of their parents. Study sample: 269 children (0–15 years of age) and 839 adults (16–65 years of age). Results: Differences in technology and service use were associated with age, degree of hearing loss, and mode of communication among children and adults, and gender and level of educational achievement among adults. Conclusion: Individual and social factors have an impact on technological hearing aid and interpreter use. More research about individual differences and clinical implications of support services is needed.

Key Words:

• Assistive technology
• cochlear implant
• hearing aids
• hearing aid satisfaction

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank the Danish National Centre for Social Research (SFI), Steen Bengtsson, Lena Bech Larsen and Mette Lindsay Sommer for access to data. Thanks to Christian Guldager-Nielsen for support with the review of the literature.

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.