Assessment of Geriatric Patients' Satisfaction on Hearing Aids and Their Influence on Quality of Life

Abstract

Introduction: The use of hearing aids is one of the few efficient solutions for hearing loss in the elderly; modern hearing aids are effective in minimizing the negative consequences of hearing loss in daily functioning.

Materials and Method: This study used the Short Form-36 Quality of Life survey to determine the effects of hearing aid use on the short-term general well-being of persons aged 65 and older with sensorineural or mixed type hearing loss. Satisfaction with hearing aid use was evaluated using the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit survey.

Results: Hearing aids not only increased communicative ability, but also boosted self-confidence. A unilateral hearing aid was found to be 75% useful in quiet places where communication was easy. An overall assessment of the Short Form -36 Quality of Life (SF-36) survey of the unilateral hearing aid users did not reveal any significant effect of the duration of hearing aid use on quality of life (p>0.05).

Conclusion: In order to increase the level of satisfaction with hearing aids, the use of binaural aids should be supported. Depending on the degree of hearing loss, geriatric individuals may need to get professional help when using hearing assistance devices (for environmental factors). The International Classification of Functioning framework can provide a holistic perspective on the evaluation of hearing aid use of the elderly. Therefore, it is recommended that valid surveys be adapted for use with geriatric individuals.