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J Am Acad Audiol 2020; 31(02): 087-095
DOI: 10.3766/jaaa.18036
Articles
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Predictors of Hearing Aid Use in the Advanced Digital Era: An Investigation of Benefit, Satisfaction, and Self-Efficacy

Anna Marie Jilla
*   Hearing Evaluation, Rehabilitation, and Outcomes Laboratory, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, College of Allied Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK
,
Carole E. Johnson
*   Hearing Evaluation, Rehabilitation, and Outcomes Laboratory, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, College of Allied Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK
,
Jeffrey L. Danhauer
†   Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA
,
Michael Anderson
‡   Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK
,
Jenna N. Smith
*   Hearing Evaluation, Rehabilitation, and Outcomes Laboratory, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, College of Allied Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK
,
James C. Sullivan
*   Hearing Evaluation, Rehabilitation, and Outcomes Laboratory, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, College of Allied Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK
,
Kristin R. Sanchez
*   Hearing Evaluation, Rehabilitation, and Outcomes Laboratory, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, College of Allied Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

23 May 2018

Publication Date:
25 May 2020 (online)

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Abstract

Background:

Untreated sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) has been linked to depression, social isolation, anxiety, and a reduction in health-related quality of life (QoL), and is independently associated with cognitive decline. Only one in five persons with SNHL pursues amplification; 76–97% of those having hearing aids report regular or occasional use. Although hearing aid use during all waking hours is advocated for children, recommendations for adults are not as clear. Treatment outcomes, including benefit, satisfaction, and self-efficacy with hearing aids, may be predictors of self-reported hearing aid use, which is useful in clinical practice.

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to determine average hours of self-reported daily hearing aid use by adults and if treatment outcome measures of benefit, satisfaction, and self-efficacy with hearing aids can predict self-reported daily hearing aid use in adults.

Research Design:

The present study was a prospective cross-sectional survey with retrospective chart review.

Study Sample:

The study sample consisted of 152 experienced adult advanced digital technology (ADT) hearing aid users between 18 and 90 years of age who were patients in a two-office private practice in California.

Data Collection and Analysis:

A postal survey was sent to 500 experienced adult ADT hearing aid users. Participants completed the Visual Analog Scale for Daily Use of Hearing Aids (VASuse) and validated measures of (1) self-efficacy, (2) satisfaction, and (3) benefit. Retrospective data were collected for all respondents via chart review. Multivariable linear regression was used to explore relationships between treatment outcomes and hearing aid use.

Results:

Experienced hearing aid users wore their hearing aids an average of 12.0 h/day. Daily hearing aid use was significantly associated with residual participation restriction (RPR) on the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA) item 5 (p = 0.02). The VASuse was significantly associated with the IOI-HA factor 1, “Me and My Hearing Aids” (p = 0.03), an aggregate measure of satisfaction, benefit, and QoL.

Conclusions:

Participants reported wearing their hearing aids an average of 12.0 h/day. Self-reported daily hearing aid use was associated with a combination of satisfaction, benefit, and increased QoL, and with RPR. The interconnectedness of satisfaction, benefit, and QoL positively affected hearing aid use, and greater levels of RPR seemed to discourage hearing aid use. If hearing aid owners are inconsistent or nonusers, then counseling and outcome measures should be used in the domains of satisfaction, benefit, and QoL. Future research should involve additional ADT hearing aid users with different experience levels across various study sites.

Key Words

adults - benefit - hearing aids - quality of life - satisfaction - self-efficacy - usage

This study is funded by the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, College of Allied Health Student Research and Creativity Grant: Tier II.


Portions of this research were presented at the 2015 American Auditory Society Scientific and Technical Conference, March 2–4; the XXXIII World Congress of Audiology, September 21–23, 2016, Vancouver BC, Canada; and the American Academy of Audiology Annual Conference, AudiologyNow!, April 14–16, 2016.


 

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