Abstract

ObjectiveA systematic review was conducted to identify and quality assess how studies published since 1999 have measured and reported the usage of hearing aids in older adults. The relationship between usage and other dimensions of hearing aid outcome, age and hearing loss are summarised.Data sourcesArticles were identified through systematic searches in PubMed/MEDLINE, The University of Nottingham Online Catalogue, Web of Science and through reference checking. Study eligibility criteria: (1) participants aged fifty years or over with sensori-neural hearing loss, (2) provision of an air conduction hearing aid, (3) inclusion of hearing aid usage measure(s) and (4) published between 1999 and 2011.ResultsOf the initial 1933 papers obtained from the searches, a total of 64 were found eligible for review and were quality assessed on six dimensions: study design, choice of outcome instruments, level of reporting (usage, age, and audiometry) and cross validation of usage measures. Five papers were rated as being of high quality (scoring 10–12), 35 papers were rated as being of moderate quality (scoring 7–9), 22 as low quality (scoring 4–6) and two as very low quality (scoring 0–2). Fifteen different methods were identified for assessing the usage of hearing aids.ConclusionsGenerally, the usage data reviewed was not well specified. There was a lack of consistency and robustness in the way that usage of hearing aids was assessed and categorised. There is a need for more standardised level of reporting of hearing aid usage data to further understand the relationship between usage and hearing aid outcomes.

Highlights

  • In the UK, it is estimated that 41.7% of adults aged 50 years or over has some form of hearing loss [1]

  • There was a lack of consistency and robustness in the way that usage of hearing aids was assessed and categorised

  • There is a need for more standardised level of reporting of hearing aid usage data to further understand the relationship between usage and hearing aid outcomes

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Summary

Introduction

In the UK, it is estimated that 41.7% of adults aged 50 years or over has some form of hearing loss [1]. The most common form of treatment for hearing loss in adults is the provision of a hearing aid. Hearing loss has an impact on communication, social interaction and self-sufficiency [6]. If left untreated (either through non-detection of the problem or non-adherence with the treatment) hearing loss can further precipitate social, physical and psychological decline [7] and will likely result in wasted resources (i.e., clinical time and un-used hearing aids). When hearing aids are prescribed for the treatment of hearing loss it is important to ensure that patients are provided with regular follow up appointments to monitor their success [8]

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