Level of User Satisfaction with Hearing Aids and Environment: The International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids

Lorena Kozlowski; Gleide Almeida; Angela Ribas

doi:10.1055/s-0033-1363782

International Archives of Otorhinolaryngology, Table of Contents

Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2014; 18(03): 229-234
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1363782

Original Research

Thieme Publicações Ltda Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Level of User Satisfaction with Hearing Aids and Environment: The International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids

Lorena Kozlowski

¹PhD and MSc program for Communication Disorders of the Universdidade Tuiuti do Paraná, Universidade Tuiuti do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil

,

Gleide Almeida

¹PhD and MSc program for Communication Disorders of the Universdidade Tuiuti do Paraná, Universidade Tuiuti do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil

,

Angela Ribas

¹PhD and MSc program for Communication Disorders of the Universdidade Tuiuti do Paraná, Universidade Tuiuti do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Introduction The main function of hearing is to enable oral communication. Hearing loss impairs communication skills.

Objective To evaluate the level of user satisfaction with hearing aids.

Methods This is a cross-sectional group study comprising 108 subjects (56% men and 44% women). The average age of the subjects was 77 years. These subjects had been recently fitted with their hearing aids and showed sensorineural (90%) and mixed (10%) hearing loss as determined via the Questionnaire International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids Outcome Inventory (IOI-HA), which determined the benefit and satisfaction obtained by sound amplification.

Results The hearing aids improved the quality of life of 52.78% of the patients, which was revealed by their high scores (mean = 27.3). The relationship of the user with the environment was significantly better (p < 0.001) than that of the user with the hearing aid.

Conclusion IOI-HA is a simple and easy-to-use tool. Based on the results of this study, we can show a high degree of satisfaction with their hearing aids in the majority of the participants, which improved the quality of life.

Keywords

quality of life - hearing loss - consumer satisfaction

Full Text

References

References
1 Silman S, Iório MCM, Mizhahi MM, Parra VM. Próteses auditivas: um estudo sobre seu benefício na qualidade de vida de indivíduos portadores de perda auditiva neurossensorial. Disturb comun. 2004; 16 (2) 153-165
2 Alpiner JG, Schow RL. Rehabilitative evaluation of hearing-impaired adults. In: Alpiner JG, McCarthy PA, eds. Rehabilitative Audiology: Children and Adults. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins; 1993: 237-283
3 Cox RM, Alexander GC. The abbreviated profile of hearing aid benefit. Ear Hear 1995; 16 (2) 176-186
4 Hill S, Garattini S, Loenhout JV, O'Brien BJ, de Joncheere K : Technology Appraisal Programme of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, Copenhagen, WHO Regional Office for Europe; 2003
5 Curtis JR. The “patient-centered” outcomes of critical care: what are they and how should they be used?. New Horiz 1998; 6 (1) 26-32
6 Gatehouse S ; National Institute for Clinical Excellence. Some reflections on the NICE appraisal of hearing aid technology. Br J Audiol 2001; 35 (5) 267-270
7 Gatehouse S. Rehabilitation: identification of needs, priorities and expectations, and the evaluation of benefit. Int J Audiol 2003; 42 (Suppl. 02) S77-S83
8 Weinstein BE. Outcome measures in the hearing aid fitting/selection process. Trends Amplif 1997; 2 (4) 117-137
9 Mueller GH, Hal J. Hearing aids: fitting and verification. In: Mueller GH, Hal J, eds. Audiologist Desk Reference. Audiologic Management, Rehabilitation and Terminology. San Diego, CA: Singular; 1998: 166-282
10 Cox RM, Hyde M, Gatehouse S , et al. Optional outcomes measures, research priorities, and international cooperation. Ear Hear 2000; 21 (4) 106S-115S
11 Cox RM. Assessment of subjective outcome of hearing aid fitting: getting the client's point of view. Int J Audiol 2003; 42 (Suppl. 01) S90-S96
12 Cox RM, Stephens D, Kramer SE. Translations of the international outcome inventory for hearing aids (IOI-HA). Int J Audiol 2002; 41 (1) 3-26
13 Gasparin M, Menegotto IH, Cunha CS. Propriedades psicométricas do questionário internacional—aparelho de amplificação sonora individual. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol 2010; 76 (1) 85-90
14 Cox RM, Stephens D, Kramer SE. Translation of the international outcome inventory for hearing aids. (IOI-HA). Int J Audiol 2002; 41 (1) 3-26
15 Cox RM, Alexander GC. The international outcome inventory for hearing aids (IOI-HA): psychometric properties of the English version. Int J Audiol 2002; 41 (1) 30-35
16 Matas CG, Iório MCM. Verificação e Validação do Processo de Seleção e Adaptação de Próteses Auditivas. In: Almeida K, Iório MCM, eds. Próteses Auditivas; Fundamentos Teóricos e Aplicações Clínicas. São Paulo, Brazil: Lovise; 2003: 316
17 Arakawa AM, Picolini MM, Sitta EI , et al. A Avaliação da Satisfação dos Usuários de AASI na Região Amazônica. Arq Int Otorrinolaringol. 2010; 14 (1) 38-44
18 Marques AC, Kozlowski L, Marques JM. Reabilitação auditiva no idoso. Rev Bras Otorrinolaringol 2004; 70 (6) 806-11 , nov/dez.
19 Picolini MM, Blasca WQ, Campos K, Mondelli MFCG. Adaptação aberta: avaliação da satisfação dos usuários de um centro de alta complexidade. Rev CEFAC 2011; 13 (4) 676-684
20 José MR, Campos PD, Mondelli MFCG. Unilateral hearing loss: benefits and satisfaction from the use of hearing aids. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol 2011; 77 (2) 221-228
21 Lopes AS, Costa MJ, Aurélio NHS, Santos SN, Vaucher AV. A satisfação e o desempenho de usuários de próteses auditivas atendidos em um programa de atenção à saúde auditiva. Rev CEFAC 2011; 13 (4) 698-709
22 Magni C, Freilberger F, Tonn K. Avaliação do grau de satisfação entre os usuários de amplificação de tecnologia analógica e digital. Rev Bras Otorrinolaringol 2005; 17 (5) 650-657
23 Prates LPCS, Iório MCM. Aclimatização: estudo do reconhecimento de fala em usuários de próteses auditivas. Pro Fono 2006; 18 (3) 345-51
24 Cox RM, Alexander GC, Taylor IM, Gray GA. Benefit acclimatization in elderly hearing aid users. J Am Acad Audiol 1996; 7 (6) 428-441
25 Teixeira CF, Augusto LGS, Caldas Neto SS. Prótese auditiva: satisfação do usuário com sua prótese e com seu meio ambiente. Rev CEFAC 2008; 10 (2) 245-253
26 Mello JM, Machado PF, Quintino VV. Questionário IOI-HA na versão em português (QI-AASI). Fono Atual 2005; 34 (8) 65-73
27 Ruschel CV, Carvalho CR, Guarinello AC. A eficiência de um programa de reabilitação audiológica em idosos com presbiacusia e seus familiares. Rev Soc Bras Fonoaudiol 2007; 12 (2) 95-98
28 Almeida MR, Guarinello AC. Reabilitação audiológica em pacientes idosos. Rev Soc Bras Fonoaudiol 2009; 14 (2) 247-255
29 Teixeira AR, Almeida LG, Jotz GP, De Barba MC. Qualidade de vida de adultos e idosos pós adaptação de próteses auditivas. Rev Soc Bras Fonoaudiol 2008; 13 (4) 357-361
30 Fialho IM, Bortoli D, Mendonça GG, Pagnosim DF, Scholze AS. Percepção de idosos sobre o uso de AASI concedido pelo Sistema Único de Saúde. Rev CEFAC 2009; 11 (2) 338-344
31 Freitas CD, Costa MJ. Processo de adaptação de próteses auditivas em usuários atendidos em uma instituição pública federal—Parte I: resultados e implicações com o uso da amplificação. Rev Bras Otorrinolaringol (Engl Ed) 2007; 73 (1) 744-751