Factors affecting the use and perceived benefit of ITE and BTE hearing aids.

The aim of the present study was to investigate factors that might affect hearing aid use, satisfaction and perceived benefit. A further aim was to look at which variables affect the choice of hearing aid, in particular, an in-the-ear (ITE) versus a behind-the-ear (BTE) device. Twenty-nine elderly hearing-impaired people with a mild-to-moderate hearing loss were fitted with both an ITE and a BTE hearing aid with similar electroacoustic performance. Both hearing aids were linear with output compression limiting and were fitted in a randomized order. After wearing each device for a six-week period, subj ets were asked to select the hearing aid they preferred. Variables significantly related to hearing aid choice, use and perceived benefit included ease of management, accuracy with which the NAL-R insertion gain target was achieved, earmould comfort and the type of hearing aid the client preferred initially.     

Aging and the use of hearing aids

Elderly subjects with both peripheral and central auditory deficits perform less well with amplification than elderly subjects with peripheral deficits only. This decrease in aided performance remains after control for degree of sensitivity loss, absolute speech understanding score, and chronological age. Furthermore, females show greater central deficits and, consequently poorer aided performance, than males. We discuss the implications of these findings for the auditory rehabilitation of the elderly.     

Children's use of CROS hearing aids

Ten children with unilateral hearing loss, aged 7 to 17 years, who were fit with contralateral routing of signal (CROS) hearing aids were followed up for three years to assess the suitability of this type of hearing aid fitting on children. The determination of the success of the fitting was based on follow-up visits, chart review, and response to a questionnaire sent to the parents. The fitting was considered to be successful if the child accepted the aid and if parents and teachers observed substantial improvement in academic performance and/or social behavior. Seven children were considered to be successful users of their CROS aids; one was unavailable for follow-up; one did better with a BICROS aid; and one did not do well with amplification. Our experience suggests that children with unilateral hearing loss can benefit from CROS amplification.     

婴幼聋儿助听器的验配及随诊

成立助听观察室专为双耳感音神经性聋婴幼儿选配助听器,并进行定期调试及康复指导,用声场验配法评估助听效果。结果发现佩戴助听器1～3年后的助听效果较初戴时好,两者之间有显著性差异（P＜0．01）,高频差异更大。表明聋儿听敏度特别是高频部分的听敏度有提高。     

Evolving applications in the use of bone-anchored hearing aids

The bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) is an effective means of intervention, its use being well documented in persons with chronic conductive pathology and congenital aural anomalies. This article describes the standard guidelines (both auditory and extraauditory aspects) for patient selection and expands the criteria to include bilateral BAHA implantation, unilateral conductive hearing loss, and unilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss. The BAHA's development, design features, and patient outcomes are also reviewed. Suggestions are presented for fitting, counseling, and following BAHA users.     

Unilateral hearing loss: benefits and satisfaction from the use of hearing aids

Aunilateral hearing loss is characterized by reduced hearing in one ear. The problems caused by sensory deprivation can be minimized with the use of hearing aids (HA).AimTo analyze the correlation between the prescribed grain and the insertion gain difference and with the results obtained regarding the benefit and satisfaction with the use of hearing aids in unilateral hearing impaired patients.Materials and MethodsProspective study with 15 subjects, mean age of 41.6 years, of both genders, users of hearing aids effectively. We used the International Questionnaire Results for hearing aids (International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids - IOI-HA), measured with a probe microphone.ResultsThe mean values in the analyses of the IOI-HA per item were positive and higher than four points. In relation to the objective measures, the frequencies in which we obtained the gain values which were closer to the target were: 1K Hz, 2K Hz and 500 Hz, respectively.ConclusionThe satisfaction of individuals using hearing aid unilaterally is not completely correlated to the prescribed gain, because even if the target is not being reached in some frequencies, the individuals were pleased as to the use of their hearing aids.     

Evaluation of hearing improvement due to hearing aids

A method to assess the hearing improvement due to hearing aids is described. This method has been used routinely at a local hospital for 2 years on 200 patients. This method is based on the assessment of the speech reception threshold for sentences ("Marburger Satztest") in silence and in various noise levels (speech simulating noise). The following were used for the assessment of the hearing aid: the improvement of the speech reception threshold in silence with or without a hearing aid, the maximum tolerable noise level (i.e. the noise level at which everyday speech becomes subliminal for patients with hearing aids) and the noise level at which the speech reception threshold with the hearing aid is worse than without.     

The relationship between pre-fitting expectations and willingness to use hearing aids

Hearing-aid use in the elderly population is problematic since not all people who would benefit from hearing aids actually obtain one. In this study, the relationship between pre-fitting expectations and willingness to use hearing aids is addressed.

One hundred adult hearing aid candidates (mean age 68.6 years) were randomly recruited from eight different private ENT practices. The subjects completed a questionnaire comprising a number of different aspects of expectation and some additional variables potentially influencing willingness to use hearing aids. Based on the outcome of the questionnaire a linear regression model predicting motivation to use hearing aids was calculated and evaluated.

Among the 11 parameters evaluated three contributed significantly to the model of willingness. The three predictor variables were expectations towards improvement of quality of life, stigmatization, and self-rated hearing ability. They accounted for about 55% of the variability in the data for willingness. Examination of a sub-sample three months after the survey had taken place revealed a distinct relationship between willingness and the decision to obtain or decline hearing aids.

In conclusion, the results strongly encourage supporting positive expectations in order to motivate individuals with hearing impairment to use hearing systems.     

The relationship between pre-fitting expectations and willingness to use hearing aids

Hearing-aid use in the elderly population is problematic since not all people who would benefit from hearing aids actually obtain one. In this study, the relationship between pre-fitting expectations and willingness to use hearing aids is addressed. One hundred adult hearing aid candidates (mean age 68.6 years) were randomly recruited from eight different private ENT practices. The subjects completed a questionnaire comprising a number of different aspects of expectation and some additional variables potentially influencing willingness to use hearing aids. Based on the outcome of the questionnaire a linear regression model predicting motivation to use hearing aids was calculated and evaluated. Among the 11 parameters evaluated three contributed significantly to the model of willingness. The three predictor variables were expectations towards improvement of quality of life, stigmatization, and self-rated hearing ability. They accounted for about 55% of the variability in the data for willingness. Examination of a sub-sample three months after the survey had taken place revealed a distinct relationship between willingness and the decision to obtain or decline hearing aids. In conclusion, the results strongly encourage supporting positive expectations in order to motivate individuals with hearing impairment to use hearing systems.