Hearing aid evaluation based on measures of benefit, use, and satisfaction.

Abstract

A comprehensive follow-up protocol was designed and utilized to assess benefit, use, and satisfaction from hearing aids. The benefit assessments included functional gain measures, and speech intelligibility in quiet and in noise. Hearing aid use was evaluated based on a questionnaire which asked for an estimate of daily use in hours and also an accounting of times when the aid was not in use during the day. Two use values were derived, an absolute daily use value and an adjusted percentage of use value. Satisfaction also was assessed using a questionnaire. The subjects were asked to indicate their general satisfaction with the aid on a seven-point scale. Two communication assessment questionnaires were used to assess communication handicap. Data are provided on 45 subject. The subjects were categorized into groups according to both low- and high-frequency hearing. These preliminary mean scores by group can be used as target goals for benefit, use, and satisfaction on persons fit with hearing aids. The protocol as used can provide considerable evaluative clinical information in a reasonable amount of time.