Abstract
The performance of patients fitted with hearing aids dictates the applicable measures to be taken. ObjectiveTo assess the benefits and degree of satisfaction of adult and elderly patients fitted with hearing aids in a service accredited by the Brazilian Public Health Service. MethodThis descriptive cross-sectional study included 34 individuals with bilateral hearing loss aged 18 and above who had never been offered hearing aids. Scales “Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults” and “Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly Screening Version” were used to assess the benefits yielded by the hearing aids. Scale “Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Life” was used to gauge patient satisfaction. The first two were applied on the day the patients were fitted with hearing aids and one month later, whereas the third was applied only one month after the patients had been fitted with the hearing aids. ResultsAfter the subjects were offered hearing aids, significant reductions were seen in the difficulties they experienced as a consequence of hearing loss. The scores in the Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Life scale indicated a high degree of satisfaction among patients. These results were not statistically different when gender and age (adult/elderly) subgroups were compared. ConclusionThe subjects included in the study have benefitted from being fitted with hearing aids and have been very happy with the outcome of the treatment.
Highlights
Communication is a vital skill for any individual
After the subjects were offered hearing aids, significant reductions were seen in the difficulties they experienced as a consequence of hearing loss
The answers given to the items in the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults (HHIA) and Handicap Inventory for the Elderly Screening Version (HHIE-S) scales applied before and one month after the fitting of hearing aids indicated that the devices provided significant benefit to adult and elderly patients, as illustrated by the reduction in disabilities and auditory handicap posed by hearing loss (Table 1)
Summary
Communication is a vital skill for any individual. It allows the acquisition of knowledge and experience, in addition to playing a key role in social and family interactions. The establishment of personal relationships is hampered, leading individuals to isolation and depression[1]. For a long time, hearing impairment was deemed as an incapacitating disease. A lot has been done in recent years to destigmatize deafness and promote improvements in the quality of life of individuals with hearing loss[2]. Auditory rehabilitation may be defined as a process designed to allow patients to overcome the barriers to enjoying a fuller participation in daily living activities and mitigate the handicap experienced by the hearing impaired[3]
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