Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026
06:04
Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
Published on: March 24, 2023
Measuring hearing aid outcomes--not as easy as it seems
Gabrielle H Saunders1, Teresa H Chisolm, Harvey B Abrams
1Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Rehabilitation Research and Development Service, National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, OR 97207, USA. Gabrielle.saunders@med.va.gov
Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development
|February 14, 2006
Summary
Measuring hearing aid outcomes is complex but crucial for demonstrating treatment efficacy and justifying resource allocation. Routine measurement by clinicians and further research are vital for advancing audiology care.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Hearing Science
- Rehabilitation
Background:
- Outcomes measurement in audiology is essential for demonstrating treatment efficacy, securing third-party payment, and justifying resource allocation.
- Accurate measurement of hearing aid benefits and associated costs is critical for patient care and healthcare management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the complexities of outcomes measurement in audiology.
- To discuss the use and relationship between generic and disease-specific outcome tools.
- To provide guidance on selecting outcome measures using the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) system.
Main Methods:
- Discussion of the challenges in outcomes measurement.
- Review of generic versus disease-specific measurement tools.
- Integration of the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) framework.
Main Results:
- Outcomes measurement is more complex than it appears.
- Discrepancies exist between clinical and functional outcomes.
- Patient-specific factors and clinician influence complicate measurement.
Conclusions:
- Clinicians must routinely measure hearing aid outcomes.
- Researchers need to validate and assess the utility of these outcome measures.
- Efficient translation of research from bench to practice requires standardized outcomes measurement.
