An investigation of factors that influence help-seeking for hearing impairment in older adults

Abstract

Objective: To examine the influence of audiological and non-audiological factors on help-seeking for hearing impairment (HI) in older adults. Design: A retrospective research design was employed. Participants completed 14 measures, after which two multivariate, multinomial logistic regression models were fitted to the data to determine which factors were associated with consultation for HI and hearing aid uptake. Study sample: Three-hundred-and-seven individuals who were 60 years or older and who presented with a unilateral or bilateral HI participated in the study. Non-hearing aid owners were assigned to a non-consulter group (n = 55) or a consulter group (n = 92); hearing aid owners were assigned to an unsuccessful hearing aid owner group (n = 75) or a successful hearing aid owner group (n = 85). Results: A similar combination of factors was associated with the decisions to consult a health professional about HI and/or to adopt hearing aids. The most important factors related to attitudinal beliefs (e.g. perceived benefits of hearing aids) and external cues to action (e.g. support from significant others). Greater HI also influenced consultation and adoption of hearing aids. Conclusions: Findings highlight the importance of non-audiological factors in hearing rehabilitation to improve consultation for HI and hearing aid adoption.

Key Words::

• Hearing impairment
• hearing aids
• older adults
• help-seeking
• health belief model

Acknowledgements

This research was funded by the HEARing Cooperative Research Centre, established under the Cooperative Research Centres Program – an Australian Government Initiative. The researchers would like to thank the Office of Hearing Services, Australian Hearing, Bronwen Hofmeister Audiology, John Pearcy Audiology, and The Neurosensory Unit for their assistance with participant recruitment; and the participants for their invaluable contribution to the study.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no declarations of interest.