Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2026
03:49
Enhanced Cochlear Coverage and Hearing Preservation in High-Frequency Hearing Loss via Electric Acoustic Stimulation with Longer Electrode
Published on: October 11, 2024
[Understanding the elderly user of auditory prostheses]
Karina Mary de Paiva1, Paulete Maria Ambrósio Maciel, Letícia Guedes Cintra
1Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 01216-904. kmpaiva@usp.br
Ciencia & Saude Coletiva
|June 29, 2011
Summary
Elderly individuals using hearing aids reported challenges with noisy environments and a lack of improvement, despite daily use. Awareness of auditory health policies and services remains critically low among this population.
Area of Science:
- Audiology and Gerontology
- Public Health Policy
- Rehabilitation Sciences
Context:
- Focuses on the elderly population utilizing auditory prostheses in Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil.
- Investigates the practical application and user experience of hearing devices among seniors.
- Examines awareness levels regarding the Policy of Care to Auditory Health.
Purpose:
- To identify key factors influencing the application and daily use of auditory prostheses by the elderly.
- To assess the comprehension and awareness of existing auditory health policies among users.
- To uncover challenges and perceived benefits associated with hearing aid utilization in older adults.
Summary:
- A study involving 25 elderly hearing aid users revealed that while 52% use their devices all day, indicating good adaptation, significant challenges persist.
- Reported benefits include improved communication and television audibility (64%), but 56% struggled in noisy settings (lectures, church, phone).
- Notably, 72% experienced no perceived improvement, and a striking 88% and 100% were unaware of auditory device donation policies and related services, respectively.
Impact:
- Highlights a critical gap in public health services and policy implementation for auditory health among the elderly.
- Underscores the need for improved management strategies and clearly defined state responsibilities in auditory care.
- Suggests a significant need for enhanced research and practical interventions to address the auditory needs of the aging population.
Related Concept Videos
01:31Hearing
When we hear a sound, our nervous system is detecting sound waves—pressure waves of mechanical energy traveling through a medium. The frequency of the wave is perceived as pitch, while the amplitude is perceived as loudness.
01:17Auditory Perception
The auditory system is essential for sound perception, utilizing various critical structures. When sound waves enter the outer ear, they travel through the ear canal and cause the eardrum to vibrate. These vibrations are then transmitted to the middle ear, where three tiny bones – the malleus, incus, and stapes – amplify the sound. This amplification is crucial, as it ensures that the sound vibrations are strong enough to be conveyed to the inner ear. These vibrations then reach the cochlea, a...