Technology, Expectations, and Adjustment to Hearing Loss: Predictors of Hearing Aid Outcome
JCK Jerram and SC Purdy
J Am Acad Audiol, 2001, 12:64-79
Abstract
This study examined the influence of technology, demographic factors, and pre-fitting expectations, attitudes, and adjustment to hearing loss on hearing aid outcome. Clients obtaining new hearing aids completed questionnaires measuring personal adjustment to hearing loss, expectations of and attitudes towards hearing aids, and hearing aid benefit. Eighty one percent of the 200 subjects completing the pre-fitting questionnaires returned questionnaires evaluating hearing aid outcome. Factors affecting hearing aid use, overall satisfaction, and benefit were investigated using regression analyses. Higher use time was associated with higher pre-fitting expectations and greater acceptance of hearing loss. Greater benefit in easy and difficult listening situations was predicted by higher pre-fitting expectations. Multiple memory hearing aids produced higher satisfaction. Benefit was greater for multiple memory, multiple channel, and WDRC aids. Findings were consistent with previous studies showing positive outcomes for newer technologies but also showed that two subjective factors, pre-fitting hearing aid expectations and acceptance of hearing
loss, significantly influenced hearing aid outcome.