Hearing Handicap Inventory For The Elderly Research Articles

The relationship between Hearing Handicap Inventory for The Elderly – Screening Version (HHIE-S) Questionnaire Scores and Hearing Loss in The Elderly in Sukawati Village, Gianyar Regency

Background: Age-related hearing loss, or presbycusis, significantly impacts communication, social interaction, and cognitive function. This study examined the relationship between Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly – Screening Version (HHIE-S) scores and hearing loss severity among the elderly in Sukawati Village, Gianyar. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 50 elderly participants aged 60 years and older was conducted. Data were collected using the HHIE-S questionnaire and pure-tone audiometry, and analyzed using Pearson’s correlation. Results: A strong positive correlation was found between HHIE-S scores and hearing loss severity (r = 0.896, p < 0.001), indicating that higher scores correspond to more severe hearing impairment. Conclusion: The HHIE-S questionnaire is an effective tool for early detection of hearing loss in the elderly and is recommended for use in primary healthcare settings to enhance timely management and improve quality of life.

Evaluating Prediction Models with Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly in Chronic Otitis Media Patients.

This retrospective, cross-sectional study aimed to assess the functional hearing capacity of individuals with Chronic Otitis Media (COM) using prediction modeling techniques and the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE) questionnaire. This study investigated the potential of predictive models to identify hearing levels in patients with COM. We comprehensively examined 289 individuals diagnosed with COM, of whom 136 reported tinnitus and 143 did not. This study involved a detailed analysis of various patient characteristics and HHIE questionnaire results. Logistic and Random Forest models were employed and compared based on key performance metrics. The logistic model demonstrated a slightly higher accuracy (73.56%), area under the curve (AUC; 0.73), Kappa value (0.45), and F1 score (0.78) than the Random Forest model. These findings suggest the superior predictive performance of the logistic model in identifying hearing levels in patients with COM. Although the AUC for the logistic regression did not meet the benchmark, this study highlights the potential for enhanced reliability and improved performance metrics using a larger dataset. The integration of prediction modeling techniques and the HHIE questionnaire shows promise for achieving greater diagnostic accuracy and refining intervention strategies for individuals with COM.

Deterioration of Hearing Due to Hearing Aids.

A primary reason for the low adoption of hearing aids (HAs) among the large population with sensorineural hearing loss is the perception that these devices may negatively impact remaining hearing ability. Research addressing this issue has yielded conflicting results. This study examined the long-term effects of HAs on standard audiometric changes in individuals with sensorineural hearing loss. We retrospectively analyzed patients who acquired unilateral HAs between 2015 and 2017 and demonstrated consistent use over a 5-year period. We examined demographics, medical comorbidities, audiometric data, and questionnaire results from the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly and the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids. Additionally, we reviewed each patient's history of noise exposure and prior HA use. The study included 55 patients who used unilateral HAs, with a mean follow-up period of 5.32 years. Among them, 31 patients (56.4%) used the HA on the right side. Audiometric data from the aided side showed no significant difference from the unaided side in either the pre-fit pure-tone average of air conduction (AC) or word recognition score (WRS) (P =0.73 and P =0.11, respectively). Similarly, no significant differences were noted in the 5-year follow-up audiometry of AC and WRS (P=0.98 and P=0.07, respectively) or in the change from pre-fit to final audiometry for either parameter (AC, P=0.58; WRS, P=0.70). Eleven patients (20%) exhibited a deterioration in hearing (as measured by AC) of 5 dB or greater on the aided side compared with the unaided side, while 23 (53.5%) showed greater WRS deterioration on the aided side. No significant factors were found to contribute to the difference in hearing deterioration between groups for either AC or WRS. No significant factors were identified as contributing to hearing deterioration after prolonged HA use. Overall, the use of HAs did not adversely impact residual hearing.

Validity and Reliability of the Korean Version of the Communication Acceptance Scale Questionnaire

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop the Korean version of the Communication and Acceptance Scale (KCAS) and to examine its validity and reliability.Methods: The 18 items of the Communication and Acceptance Scale questionnaire were translated into Korean following the steps of forward translation, expert panel review, back-translation, pre-testing, cognitive interviewing, and final version refinement. For the test-retest evaluation of the KCAS, 39 adults with hearing loss participated. Concurrent validity was also assessed by evaluating the Korean Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (KHHIE).Results: The KCAS was constructed with a total of 16 question items after excluding 2 items (2 and 18) that failed reliability tests. Cronbach’s α for all 16 items was 0.89, and the Wilcoxon-Signed rank test indicated test-retest reliability. A significant negative correlation (rho = -0.77) was observed between KCAS and KHHIE.Conclusion: The KCAS questionnaire has been demonstrated to be a reliable and valid tool. It is also useful for assessing communication difficulties and the utilization of communication strategies among the hearing impaired.

Impact of hearing impairment on the mental status of the adults and older adults in Jordanian society.

Hearing loss is a common disorder, affecting both children and adults worldwide. Individuals with hearing loss suffer from mental health problems that affect their quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the social and emotional consequences of hearing loss in a Jordanian population using Arabic versions of the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults (HHIA) and the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE). This study included 300 Jordanian participants aged 18-90 years with hearing loss. Each participant underwent a complete audiological evaluation before answering the questionnaires. The median overall scores of the HHIA and HHIE groups were 39 and 65, respectively. Both HHIA (Cronbach's alpha = 0.79, p < 0.001) and HHIE (Cronbach's alpha = 0.78, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with the social, emotional, and overall scores. Compared to the adult group, the median emotional and social scores of the older adults group were significantly higher than the adults group (Z = -4.721, p = 0.001), using the Mann-Whitney test. The present research revealed that psychological disabilities associated with hearing loss in the adult Jordanian population are more frequent and severe than in other nations. This may be attributed to the lack of awareness of the mental consequences of hearing loss among Jordanian healthcare providers and the public.

Validity and Reliability of Age-Related Hearing Loss Questionnaire in Korean Elderly

Purpose: The objective of this study is to investigate the validity and reliability of the Age-Related Hearing Loss Questionnaire (ARHLQ) for Korean elderly, originally developed by Choi, to evaluate the communication difficulties faced by Korean elderly individuals with hearing loss everyday life. The ARHLQ consists of twenty-three questions in four subcategories of communication difficulties (9 items), communication environment (5 items), emotion and other’s reaction (6 items), and communication strategy (3 items).Methods: The ARHLQ was administrated to a total ninety subjects composed of three or four subject groups based on mild, moderate, moderate severe, and severe hearing loss determined by the pure tone threshold average (PTA) and high frequency threshold average (HFPTA), with an average age with the age of 77.22 ± 6.36 years old. Validity and reliability were calculated using Pearson’s correlation coefficient, the Kruskal-Wallis test for nonparametric independent samples, and Cronbach alpha coefficient.Results: Pearson’s correlations coefficients between total scores and four subcategories of ARHLQ were high ranging from 0.813 to 0.971 and the correlation coefficient between ARHLQ and the Korean Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (K-HHIE) was high (0.736). The correlation coefficients between four subcategories of ARHLQ and the two subcategories of K-HHIE were high ranging from 0.598 to 0.770. The mean difference in total score and four subcategories of ARHLQ by the hearing degrees of PTA and HFPTA were significantly observed. For internal consistency, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient in total scores and four subcategories was high ranging from 0.807 to 0.966. The test-retest correlation for reliability was very high (0.996).Conclusion: These findings suggest that the ARHLQ is a clinically useful tool to evaluate age-related hearing loss according to the degree of hearing loss.

Association between participation restriction due to hearing loss and self-perception of health, social support, and quality of life in elderly people: a cross-sectional study.

To verify the association between participation restriction due to hearing loss and self-perception of health, social support, and quality of life in elderly people. This is a cross-sectional, observational, and descriptive study with a quantitative data approach. A database with information collected in a medium-sized Brazilian municipality was used. The study was conducted with 235 elderly people registered in five Family Health Strategy Units. Sociodemographic and health information and the results of the following questionnaires were used: Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly - Screening Version (HHIE-S), Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Social Support Survey, Subjective Health Assessment, and Short-Form 6-Dimension (SF-6D) Health and Quality of Life Index. Groups with and without participation restriction were compared according to sociodemographic, health, social support, and quality of life variables. A multivariate binary logistic regression method was employed to evaluate the associations between the independent variables and participation restriction. The group with participation restriction is composed of older individuals with lower quality of life and poorer self-perception of health. Poorer self-perception of health was the only predictor of participation restriction related to hearing loss. Participation restriction is associated with poorer self-perception of health. The study highlights the importance of assessing individuals' self-perception regarding biopsychosocial issues, in addition to considering the environmental context to understand the social and emotional impacts caused by hearing loss.

Associação entre restrição à participação decorrente de perda auditiva e autopercepção de saúde, suporte social e qualidade de vida da pessoa idosa: estudo transversal

ABSTRACT Purpose To verify the association between participation restriction due to hearing loss and self-perception of health, social support, and quality of life in elderly people. Methods This is a cross-sectional, observational, and descriptive study with a quantitative data approach. A database with information collected in a medium-sized Brazilian municipality was used. The study was conducted with 235 elderly people registered in five Family Health Strategy Units. Sociodemographic and health information and the results of the following questionnaires were used: Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly – Screening Version (HHIE-S), Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Social Support Survey, Subjective Health Assessment, and Short-Form 6-Dimension (SF-6D) Health and Quality of Life Index. Groups with and without participation restriction were compared according to sociodemographic, health, social support, and quality of life variables. A multivariate binary logistic regression method was employed to evaluate the associations between the independent variables and participation restriction. Results The group with participation restriction is composed of older individuals with lower quality of life and poorer self-perception of health. Poorer self-perception of health was the only predictor of participation restriction related to hearing loss. Conclusion Participation restriction is associated with poorer self-perception of health. The study highlights the importance of assessing individuals’ self-perception regarding biopsychosocial issues, in addition to considering the environmental context to understand the social and emotional impacts caused by hearing loss.

Assessment of the socio-emotional state of persons with presbyacusia using hearing amplification

Introduction/Objective. Presbycusis or senile hearing loss is a physiological phenomenon that manifests as a gradual effect of hearing loss in adults. The aim of this work is to examine the socio-emotional state of elderly people with hearing loss. Methods. The research was conducted at the Department of Audiology and Vestibulology of the Zemun Clinical Hospital Center. A subjective assessment was conducted using the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly ? HHIE scale. This questionnaire is designed to assess the emotional and social functioning of people with presbycusis and to monitor the effect of auditory rehabilitation. Basic data were obtained through audiological diagnostics, questionnaires and interviews with respondents. Results. 120 subjects participated in this research, 60 subjects with senile hearing loss using auditory amplification and 60 subjects with senile hearing loss without hearing amplification. In subjects with auditory amplification, there is no statistically significant difference in the results of the HHIE at the beginning of the study and after one year (t 1.07, df 59, p 0.28), but a statistically significant difference is observed in the HHIE-S score (t 3.0, df 59, p 0.004). In 17 subjects who did not have a hearing aid at the beginning of the research, during the research, for a period of one year, auditory amplification was carried out and a good correlation between the HHIE and the subscales on the HHIE test/retest was established. Conclusion. Hearing amplification often does not fulfill its goal in individuals - to improve listening and speech intelligibility, which may be a consequence of untimely amplification.

Depression and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Older Adults With Hearing Loss in the ACHIEVE Study.

Hearing loss is associated with cognitive/physical health; less is known about mental health. We investigated associations between hearing loss severity, depression, and health-related quality of life among older adults with unaided hearing loss. Data (N = 948) were from the Aging and Cognitive Health Evaluation in Elders Study. Hearing was measured by pure-tone average (PTA), Quick Speech-in-Noise (QuickSIN) test, and the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE-S). Outcomes were validated measures of depression and health-related quality of life. Associations were assessed by negative binomial regression. More severe hearing loss was associated with worse physical health-related quality of life (ratio: .98, 95% CI: .96, 1.00). Better QuickSIN was associated with higher mental health-related quality of life (1.01 [1.00, 1.02]). Worse HHIE-S was associated with depression (1.24 [1.16, 1.33]) and worse mental (.97 [.96, .98]) and physical (.95 [ .93, .96]) health-related quality of life. Further work will test effects of hearing intervention on mental health.

Age-related hearing loss is not linked to cerebrospinal fluid levels of β-amyloid or p-tau181.

As Hearing loss and dementia affect people with the same profile, several epidemiological studies have evaluated their relationship. However, the link between age-related hearing loss and Alzheimer's disease is still unclear. We selected subjects with no history of exposure to loud noises, blasts, head trauma with hearing loss, or sudden sensorineural hearing loss from a cohort intended to study preclinical phases of Alzheimer's disease. Participants are volunteers over 55years without cognitive impairment. We correlated the results of an objective auditory evaluation with brain amyloid and p-tau181 levels and with the outcomes of a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. Fifty-five subjects at different stages of the Alzheimer's disease continuum were evaluated. There were no statistically significant correlations between amyloid-β and p-tau levels and any of the objective auditory measures. A weak but significant correlation was found between amyloid-β values and the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly. The neuropsychological domains more correlated to hearing loss were executive function and processing speed. Age-related hearing loss is not linked to any pathological markers of Alzheimer's disease nor to neuropsychological domains typically affected in this disease. The Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly has an important component of subjectivity and further studies are needed to explore its relationship with amyloid-β levels.

Objective and subjective efficacy of hearing aids in patients with mild-to-moderate unilateral hearing loss: a prospective study.

In patients with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss (USNHL), we explored both objective functional audiological gains and subjective satisfaction, indicating when a unilateral hearing aid is valuable. Thirty-seven patients with mild-to-moderate USNHL (mean pure-tone thresholds between 25 and 70dB) were prescribed unilateral hearing aids. Functional gain, the aided speech discrimination score (SDS), the Hearing in Noise Test (HINT) score, and the sound localization test score were collected, and a questionnaire (the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly, HHIE) completed after 1, 2, and 3months of hearing aid use. We classified the participants as having 'no handicap' (HHIE < 17), 'mild-to-moderate handicap' (17-42), and 'significant handicap' (> 42). The decrease in handicap afforded by unilateral hearing aids was largest in the 'significant handicap' group (the HHIE total score fell from 59.1 to 37.2; P = 0.007). There were no between-group differences in either functional gain or the aided SDS. Only the 'significant handicap' group evidenced an improved HINT score; the composite signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) fell from - 1.5 to - 2.2dB [S/N] (P = 0.023). The HHIE usefully indicated when a hearing aid alleviated the discomfort of USNHL; patients with unaided HHIE scores ≥ 20 evidenced significant decreases in the composite SNR (- 1.7 to - 2.0dB [S/N]; P = 0.045). When considering whether to prescribe a unilateral hearing aid for patients with mild-to-moderate USNHL, it is helpful to use the HHIE to evaluate discomfort. If the total score is ≥ 20, a hearing aid is appropriate.

Speech recognition and quality of life outcomes of adults with cochlear implants following a quarter-century of deafness: what should be the maximum duration?

This study was aimed at examining the pre- and post-cochlear implant (CI) speech recognition and quality of life results of postlingually deaf adult CI users with a duration of deafness (DoD) > 25years and determining the maximum DoD limit. We enrolled 54 postlingually deaf CI users and divided them into ages ≤ 60 and > 60years and DoDs ≤ 25 and > 25years. All participants were evaluated using multisensory measures (auditory and auditory + visual) and open-set Speech Recognition Test (SRT) before CI and 3years postoperatively. They were administered with The Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE) to determine the effects of hearing impairment on daily life. DoD and open-set SRT for auditory and auditory + visual stimuli showed a strong negative linear relationship (r = - 0.506, p < 0.01). Open-set SRT scores of patients with DoD aged ≤ 25 and > 25years (p < 0.01) differed significantly. The chronological age and HHIE scores in social and emotional subfactors showed a strong negative linear relationship (r = - 0.519, p < 0.01). The present study showed that the number of years was a major factor determining that postlingual adults with profound hearing loss had hearing loss. The results support CI use as soon as possible in adults to prevent degeneration of the auditory pathways and possible central remodeling. However, auditory rehabilitation outcomes in adults using CI vary widely. Investigating the causes of this variability contributes to audiology.

Association Between Hearing Handicap and Life-Space Mobility in a Patient Population.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between self-reported hearing handicap and life-space mobility utilizing the Life-Space Questionnaire (LSQ). Life-space mobility reflects how an individual moves through their daily physical and social environment, and the role of hearing loss in life-space mobility is not fully understood. We hypothesized that those with higher self-reported hearing handicap would be more likely to demonstrate restricted life-space mobility. A total of 189 older adults (M age = 75.76 years, SD = 5.81) completed a mail-in survey packet including the LSQ and Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE). Participants were categorized into one of three groups ("no/none," "mild/moderate," or "severe" hearing handicap) according to HHIE total score. LSQ responses were dichotomized to either "nonrestricted/typical" or "restricted" life-space mobility groups. Logistic regression models were performed to analyze life-space mobility differences among the groups. Logistic regression results demonstrated no statistically significant association between hearing handicap and LSQ. The results of this study indicate that there is no association between self-reported hearing handicap and life-space mobility as evaluated using a mail-in version of the LSQ. This counters other studies that have demonstrated that life space is associated with chronic illness, cognitive functioning, and social and health integration.

Validity of the Italian adaptation of the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE-It).

The aim of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of the Italian translation of the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE). A sample of 275 adults, aged > 65 years, filled out the Italian version of the HHIE (HHIE-It) together with the MOS 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Seventy-one participants answered the questionnaire a second time after six weeks. The internal consistency, test-retest reliability, construct and criterion validity were evaluated. Cronbach's alpha was 0.94 and suggested a high internal consistency. There was also a significant intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) between test and retest scores. In addition, Pearson's correlation coefficient between the two scores was high and significant. High and significant correlation coefficients were also found between the HHIE-It score and the pure tone average threshold of the better ear and between the HHIE-It and the subscales Role-emotional, Social Functioning and Vitality of the SF-36. These latter results indicate good construct and criterion validity, respectively. The HHIE-It maintained the reliability and validity of the English version suggesting its utility for both clinical and research purposes.

Associations between aided speech audiometry and subjective assessment of hearing aid outcomes

Objective This study aimed to analyse outcomes with hearing aid (HA) use and to determine whether common audiological tests, including pure-tone audiometry or word recognition test, correlate with HA wearers’ subjective benefit. Design A retrospective chart review. Study sample A total of 129 patients who adopted new HAs between January 2011 and December 2018 were enrolled. Outcome measures including pure tone thresholds, word recognition score (WRS), and self-reported questionnaires were obtained 1, 4, and 12 months post fit. Results The mean aided threshold and WRS at each post-fit visit significantly improved from the unaided condition. Self-reported outcomes confirmed by the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE) scores significantly improved compared to the unaided condition at 1- and 4-month follow-up. Results of the regression analysis indicated that the aided WRS score is a significant factor at all post-fit visits that explains less than 10% of the variance in HHIE scores. Conclusions Aided WRS is the factor most associated with subjectively reported HA outcomes, both in the short- and long term. Therefore, aided WRS should be considered as a useful tool for evaluating HA benefits, even after the prolonged use of HAs.

The Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of the Hearing Handicap Inventory Screening Scale (HHIE-S) among Older Adults

BackgroundThere is a great need for a valid hearing loss measurement tool in the Persian language to help identify hearing handicaps and potential communicational difficulties among Persian-speaking older adults. The present study aimed to validate and adapt the original English version of the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE) into the Persian language. MethodsA tool development study was designed and data were collected from August to November 2019 in Tabriz, Iran among the older adults aged 60 years and above whose hearing loss had been confirmed by audiometry. The construct validity was assessed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). The reliability of the tool was calculated by internal consistency and test-retest reliability. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0 (SPSS and STATA 14). ResultsThe CFA was conducted to examine the construct validity of the HHIE-S. According to the results, the model fit indices were acceptable (TLI = 0.93, CFI = 0.97, RMSEA = 0.07 (90% CI: 0.04 to 0.10), and SRMR = 0.03). Cronbach's alpha coefficient (0.85) and the test-retest reliability score (0.73) indicated good internal consistency. ConclusionThe results showed that HHIE-S is a valid and reliable tool for assessing hearing handicaps among Persian-speaking and Iranian older adults.

Effects of the "Active Communication Education" Program on Hearing-Related Quality of Life in a Group of Italian Older Adults Cochlear Implant Users.

IntroductionThe present study aimed to evaluate the effects of the Active Communication Education (ACE) program on the social/emotional impacts of hearing loss (HL) in a group of older adults with a cochlear implant (CI).DesignProspective cohort study design, with a “within-subject” control procedure.Study SampleTwenty adults over-65 post-lingually deafened CI users. All subjects were required to be native Italian speakers, to have normal cognitive level, have no significant psychiatric conditions and/or diagnosed incident dementia, and used CI for at least 9 months.Materials and MethodsTwenty participants were assessed using the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and the Speech, Spatial, and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ) before, during, and after ACE program, with a one and 6-month follow up. The cognitive and audiological evaluation was carried out before commencing the ACE program.ResultsThe ACE program had a positive impact by reducing HL’s social/emotional effects. Participants benefited from a rehabilitative approach by improving multilevel skills: comprehension of audiological and hearing dimensions, acquisition of communicative, pragmatic and problem-solving strategies, and interaction and sharing of experiences with peers.ConclusionAlthough targeting the older adults with moderate HL, the ACE program also seemed to benefit older adult CI users. An improvement in social and emotional adaptation to hearing difficulties can, in turn, significantly promote optimal use of CI in the older adults, thereby possibly reducing the risk of losing motivation and engagement in device use and in rehabilitation protocols.

A precision medicine tool to understand who responds best to hearing aids in late-life depression.

Accumulating evidence suggests that hearing loss (HL) treatment may benefit depressive symptoms among older adults with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), but the specific individual characteristics of those who stand to improve most are unknown. N=37 patients ≥60years with HL and MDD received either active or sham hearing aids in this 12-week double-blind randomized controlled trial. A combined moderator approach was utilized in the analysis in order to examine multiple different pretreatment individual characteristics to determine the specific qualities that predicted the best depressive symptom response to hearing aids. Pretreatment characteristics included: Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE-S), pure tone average (PTA), speech reception threshold (SRT), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), cognition (Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status). The analysis revealed a combined moderator, predicting greater improvement with active versus sham hearing aids, that had a larger effect size than any individual moderator (combined effect size [ES]=0.49 [95% CI: 0.36, 0.76]). Individuals with worse hearing-related disability (HHIE-S: individual ES=-0.16), speech recognition (SRT: individual ES=-0.14), physical performance (SPPB: individual ES=0.41), and language functioning (individual ES=0.19) but with relatively less severe audiometric thresholds (PTA: individual ES=0.17) experienced greater depressive symptom improvement with active hearing aids. Older adults with relatively worse HL-related, physical, and cognitive functioning may stand to benefit most from hearing aids. Given the large number of older adults experiencing HL and MDD, a non-invasive and scalable means of targeting those most likely to respond to interventions would be valuable.

A randomised, controlled trial of clinically implementing online hearing support

Objective The research-oriented objective of this study was to document the effectiveness of online support for hearing aid (HA) users compared with traditional support. Design This study is a randomised controlled trial with parallel group design. The research-oriented objectives were evaluated using the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE) and the Communication Strategies Scale (CSS) at baseline and immediately postintervention. Study sample Selected clients at five different clinics were randomised to an intervention group (n = 78) that took part in online hearing support and a control group (n = 58) that received standard care. Results The analyses (intention-to-treat) showed statistically significant improvements in the HHIE-total and Emotional subscale scores for the intervention group compared with the control group. The intervention group also showed significantly greater improvement in the CSS-total and Verbal and Nonverbal subscale scores. A subgroup analysis was performed including two groups: HA use <1 year and HA use >1 year. A statistically significant improvement was found for the HA users >1 year compared with HA use <1 year. Conclusions It is effective to clinically include online hearing support for HA users when addressing self-perceived hearing difficulties and to sharpen communication strategy skills.