Why do people fitted with hearing aids not wear them?

Objective: Age-related hearing loss is an increasingly important public health problem affecting approximately 40% of 55–74 year olds. The primary clinical management intervention for people with hearing loss is hearing aids, however, the majority (80%) of adults aged 55–74 years who would benefit f...

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Main Authors: McCormack, Abby, Fortnum, Heather
Format: Article
Published: Informa Healthcare 2013
Online Access:https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/2515/
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author McCormack, Abby
Fortnum, Heather
author_facet McCormack, Abby
Fortnum, Heather
author_sort McCormack, Abby
building Nottingham Research Data Repository
collection Online Access
description Objective: Age-related hearing loss is an increasingly important public health problem affecting approximately 40% of 55–74 year olds. The primary clinical management intervention for people with hearing loss is hearing aids, however, the majority (80%) of adults aged 55–74 years who would benefit from a hearing aid, do not use them. Furthermore, many people given a hearing aid do not wear it. The aim was to collate the available evidence as to the potential reasons for non-use of hearing aids among people who have been fitted with at least one. Design: Data were gathered via the use of a scoping study. Study sample: A comprehensive search strategy identified 10 articles reporting reasons for non-use of hearing aids. Results: A number of reasons were given, including hearing aid value, fit and comfort and maintenance of the hearing aid, attitude, device factors, financial reasons, psycho-social/situational factors, healthcare professionals attitudes, ear problems, and appearance. Conclusions: The most important issues were around hearing aid value, i.e. the hearing aid not providing enough benefit, and comfort related to wearing the hearing aid. Identifying factors that affect hearing aid usage are necessary for devising appropriate rehabilitation strategies to ensure greater use of hearing aids.
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spelling nottingham-25152020-05-04T20:19:18Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/2515/ Why do people fitted with hearing aids not wear them? McCormack, Abby Fortnum, Heather Objective: Age-related hearing loss is an increasingly important public health problem affecting approximately 40% of 55–74 year olds. The primary clinical management intervention for people with hearing loss is hearing aids, however, the majority (80%) of adults aged 55–74 years who would benefit from a hearing aid, do not use them. Furthermore, many people given a hearing aid do not wear it. The aim was to collate the available evidence as to the potential reasons for non-use of hearing aids among people who have been fitted with at least one. Design: Data were gathered via the use of a scoping study. Study sample: A comprehensive search strategy identified 10 articles reporting reasons for non-use of hearing aids. Results: A number of reasons were given, including hearing aid value, fit and comfort and maintenance of the hearing aid, attitude, device factors, financial reasons, psycho-social/situational factors, healthcare professionals attitudes, ear problems, and appearance. Conclusions: The most important issues were around hearing aid value, i.e. the hearing aid not providing enough benefit, and comfort related to wearing the hearing aid. Identifying factors that affect hearing aid usage are necessary for devising appropriate rehabilitation strategies to ensure greater use of hearing aids. Informa Healthcare 2013-05 Article PeerReviewed McCormack, Abby and Fortnum, Heather (2013) Why do people fitted with hearing aids not wear them? International Journal of Audiology, 52 (5). pp. 360-368. ISSN 1499-2027 http://informahealthcare.com/doi/full/10.3109/14992027.2013.769066 doi:10.3109/14992027.2013.769066 doi:10.3109/14992027.2013.769066
spellingShingle McCormack, Abby
Fortnum, Heather
Why do people fitted with hearing aids not wear them?
title Why do people fitted with hearing aids not wear them?
title_full Why do people fitted with hearing aids not wear them?
title_fullStr Why do people fitted with hearing aids not wear them?
title_full_unstemmed Why do people fitted with hearing aids not wear them?
title_short Why do people fitted with hearing aids not wear them?
title_sort why do people fitted with hearing aids not wear them?
url https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/2515/
https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/2515/
https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/2515/