Psychosocial correlates of hearing aid adjustment

Abstract

Despite considerable evidence regarding the detrimental effects of untreated hearing loss, there continues to be an underutilization of hearing aids by adults. The Long Term Follow-Up of Patients in the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders/Veterans Affairs (NIDCD/VA) Hearing Aid Clinical Trial (Cooperative Studies Program [CSP] 418-A) provided the opportunity to compare a number of potential psychosocial influences and outcomes for hearing aid users and nonusers from the original CSP 418 study. The Communication Profile for the Hearing Impaired (CPHI) results provide compelling evidence of hearing aid benefit. Mean Communication Performance (CP) scores for hearing aid users on the Social, Work, and Home scales improved significantly from the original CSP 418 administration. For nonusers, there were no significant CPHI changes from the previous administration. Although hearing aid users and nonusers did not differ in optimism, this parameter was correlated with personal adjustment, measured via the CPHI. Hearing aid use was associated with the perception of major life events, such as illness, retirement, and so forth.