Determinants of hearing-aid adoption and use among the elderly: a systematic review

Abstract

Objective: While the benefits of hearing aids among older adults with presbycusis have been well documented, there is limited research on hearing-aid usage. The aim of this review is to synthesize current evidence to identify the determinants of hearing-aid adoption and use among the elderly.

Design: Systematic review.

Study sample: Articles were identified through systematic searches in the Web of Science, Medline, CINAHL, and a manual search. Studies that explore the potential determinants of hearing-aid usage were to be included.

Results: A total of twenty-two articles were reviewed. Four audiological determinants (the severity of hearing loss, the type of hearing aids, background noise acceptance, and insertion gain) and seven non-audiological determinants (self-perceived hearing problems, expectation, demographics, group consultation, support from significant others, self-perceived benefit, and satisfaction) were identified as affecting the adoption and use of hearing aids.

Conclusions: There is a need to explore the influence of significant others, health professionals, and user demographics on hearing rehabilitation for future research. The determinants identified in this review depicted the stage progression of the trans-theoretical model (TTM) in explaining an individual's readiness to hearing-aid usage.

Keywords: Hearing loss; aid usage; determinants; hearing aids; older adults; trans-theoretical model.