Demands on hearing aid features—special signal processing for elderly users?

Abstract

Age-related effects on several parameters of hearing aid provision, comprising the importance of various hearing aid attributes, the main reason for dissatisfaction, and a measure for aided performance, were examined. When comparing two subgroups of younger and elderly hearing aid users, a significant difference occurred for the importance of the attribute ‘handling’, whereas all other features examined showed only differences in trends. The question posed for the main reason for dissatisfaction with the hearing aids revealed no significant contrasts. Problems with the instruments in several listening situations were investigated by means of the Gothenburg Profile. Items related to communication in groups showed significant differences between younger and older subjects, but only non-significant contrasts remained when the mean hearing losses of the two subgroups were properly matched. Based on the data presented, some age-related concerns should be taken into account in hearing-aid provision for elderly users, but special signal processing does not seem to be necessary.

Key Words:

• Elderly hearing aid users
• Importance
• Dissatisfaction
• Aided performance