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Practical method for quantifying hearing aid benefit in older adults
C W Newman1, G P Jacobson, G A Hug
1Division of Audiology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan 48202.
Journal of the American Academy of Audiology
|April 1, 1991
Summary
The Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly-Short Form (HHIE-S) effectively measures hearing aid benefit. This 10-item scale showed significant improvements in emotional and social well-being for new hearing aid users.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Gerontology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Self-assessment handicap scales are increasingly used to evaluate audiological interventions.
- Hearing aid use is a key intervention for managing hearing impairment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly-Short Form (HHIE-S) in quantifying hearing aid benefit.
- To determine if the HHIE-S can detect changes in perceived hearing handicap after a short period of hearing aid use.
Main Methods:
- A 10-item short form of the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE-S) was administered to 91 new hearing aid users.
- Measurements were taken before and three weeks after hearing aid provision.
Main Results:
- A significant reduction in perceived emotional and social/situational handicaps was observed post-hearing aid fitting.
- Hearing aid benefit, as measured by the HHIE-S, was independent of pure-tone sensitivity and word recognition scores.
- A 95% confidence interval of 9.3 points was established for the HHIE-S.
Conclusions:
- The HHIE-S is a valid and expedient tool for quantifying hearing aid benefit in clinical settings.
- The HHIE-S can reliably detect changes in self-perceived hearing handicap after hearing aid use.
