The most logical solution if a person has a hearing impairment on both ears, seems to be bilateral hearing aid amplification in both ears. Numerous studies have shown the advantages of this fitting strategy. However, there were always some individuals not benefiting from bilateral hearing aids; until recently a neglected group of persons. The first part of the present work examines patterns of ...

BACKGROUND Rising life expectancy means an increase in the number of elderly people with hearing loss in the population. Many elderly people live in nursing homes, with varying care needs. A substantial proportion of these people will need help with their hearing aids and other hearing devices. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study has been to assess the knowledge, experience, skills, competen...

Using hearing aids may contribute to better functioning in the everyday lives of hearing-impaired older individuals. We introduce an integrative concept for the efficient use of hearing aids that involves both satisfaction with, and behaviour towards, hearing aids. We review theoretical and empirical work on the predictors of the efficient use of hearing aids in everyday life. Furthermore, we c...

UNLABELLED Some individuals with hearing loss choose to be fitted with hearing aids. Compliance is significantly affected by how satisfied patients are with their hearing aids. Patient satisfaction can be assessed through questionnaires and scales. OBJECTIVE To assess the degree of satisfaction of patients fitted with hearing aids. METHOD Scale "Satisfaction With Amplification in Daily Life...

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of occult hearing loss in elderly inpatients, to evaluate feasibility of opportunistic hearing screening and to determine subsequent provision of hearing aids. MATERIALS AND METHODS Subjects (>65 years) were recruited from five elderly care wards. Hearing loss was detected by a ward-based hearing screen comprising patient-reported assessment of hearing di...

The MarkeTrak VIII (2009) report on 25-year trends in the hearing aid industry revealed that only 1 in 4 people with a hearing loss wear hearing aids. Among those with a hearing impairment, only 1 in 10 with a mild hearing loss wears hearing aids, whereas 4 in 10 with a moderate-to-severe hearing loss wear hearing aids. These numbers show that those in the mild hearing loss category do not wear...

This study examined the influence of technology, demographic factors, and prefitting expectations, attitudes, and adjustment to hearing loss on hearing aid outcome. Clients obtaining new hearing aids completed questionnaires measuring personal adjustment to hearing loss, expectations of and attitudes toward hearing aids, and hearing aid benefit. Eighty-one percent of the 200 subjects completing...

PURPOSE This study investigated the predictors of rehabilitation intervention decisions in middle-age and older adults with acquired hearing impairment seeking help for the first time. METHOD Using shared decision making, 139 participants were offered intervention options: hearing aids, communication programs (group or individual), and no intervention. Multivariate analysis (logistic regressi...