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Social Support Predicts Hearing Aid Satisfaction.
Gurjit Singh1, Sin-Tung Lau, M Kathleen Pichora-Fuller
11Phonak Canada Ltd, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada; 2Department of Speech-Language Pathology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; 3Department of Research, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and 4Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
Ear and Hearing
|June 3, 2015
Summary
Perceived social support significantly predicts hearing aid satisfaction in adults. This finding, demonstrating the importance of social connections for hearing aid users, was consistent across two studies.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Psychology
- Social Sciences
Background:
- Hearing aid satisfaction is crucial for user adherence and quality of life.
- Previous research has identified various factors influencing hearing aid satisfaction.
- The role of social support in the context of hearing aid use requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the relationship between perceived social support and hearing aid satisfaction.
- To assess the predictive power of perceived social support for hearing aid satisfaction compared to other known factors.
Main Methods:
- Two studies were conducted with adult hearing aid users (N=173 in Study 1, N=161 in Study 2).
- Participants completed surveys on attitudes toward health, hearing, hearing aids, personality factors (Big-Five), hearing aid benefit, and hearing aid style.
- Data were analyzed using correlational and regression analyses.
Main Results:
- Perceived social support was significantly correlated with hearing aid satisfaction in both studies (r = 0.34 and r = 0.51).
- Perceived social support emerged as the strongest predictor of hearing aid satisfaction in both studies, explaining 22% of variance in Study 1 and 43% in Study 2.
- The relationship remained significant after controlling for response style.
Conclusions:
- Perceived social support is a significant predictor of hearing aid satisfaction.
- This finding was robust across different participant demographics and hearing aid experiences.
- Social support should be considered in interventions aimed at improving hearing aid outcomes.
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