[Identifying factors before the provision of hearing aids. Results from a pilot study]

Abstract

Objective: Systematic research on factors before the provision of hearing aids is scarce. In order to identify parameters which promote or impede the use of hearing aids, a questionnaire-based survey was conducted.

Subjects and methods: A total of 35 randomly chosen, hard of hearing adults indicated for a hearing aid were examined. The importance of speech in quiet and in noise, wearing comfort, sound quality, appearance and costs, as well as expectations, willingness to use a hearing aid and reasons for and against provision were determined.

Results: Speech in noise and quiet were most important, followed by comfort of wearing and appearance of the aid. Expectations towards the hearing aids were in general high. The willingness to use hearing devices was positively affected by the expectation that it would improve quality of life and negatively by the amount of social activity of the person. The main reasons against the use of hearing aids were appearance and lack of confidence in hearing aid technology.

Conclusions: This pilot-study identified several parameters which might affect willingness to use hearing aids. In particular, expectations towards the aids, personal attitude towards hearing and communication problems and the appearance of hearing aids should be subject to further examination.