Measurement of hearing aid benefit in the elderly

Providing amplification is at the heart of most rehabilitation programs for the elderly. Given the importance of quality assurance, methods of quantifying hearing aid fitting success are needed. This study was designed to assess the adequacy of a self-assessment scale at measuring hearing aid benefit following a 3 week interval of hearing aid use. Forty-five new hearing aid users completed the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE) prior to and following 3 weeks of hearing aid use. Results of the study showed a significant reduction in handicap following 3 weeks of hearing aid use, suggesting the feasibility of using the HHIE as an outcome measure for hearing aid success after a brief interval of hearing aid use. Subjects will be followed longitudinally to determine the best time frame in which to administer this scale.