Improving Hearing Aid Self-Efficacy and Utility Through Revising a Hearing Aid User Guide: A Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Rehabilitation Engineering

Background:

• Hearing aid user guides (HAUGs) are crucial for effective device use.
• Previous guides may lack clarity, impacting user self-efficacy and performance.
• Optimizing HAUGs is essential for improving the hearing rehabilitation experience.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess if revising a hearing aid user guide (HAUG) enhances hearing aid self-efficacy and utility.
• To evaluate the impact of a revised HAUG, including a video component, on user performance.

Main Methods:

• Part 1: Evaluated an original HAUG using Suitability Assessment of Material (SAM) and readability formulas, then revised it based on findings and guidelines, incorporating a video.
• Part 2: 30 adults with hearing impairment were randomly assigned to use either the original or revised HAUG with video for a utility task.
• Measured self-efficacy using the Measure of Audiologic Rehabilitation Self-Efficacy for Hearing Aids questionnaire.

Main Results:

• The revised HAUG demonstrated improved SAM scores and readability.
• Participants using the revised guide and video showed significantly better performance on the utility task.
• The revised guide group also reported higher scores on self-efficacy subscales.

Conclusions:

• Revising hearing aid user guides can positively influence user self-efficacy and performance.
• The inclusion of video alongside a revised guide shows promise for enhancing hearing aid utility.
• Appropriately designed HAUGs are a viable method to improve patient outcomes in hearing rehabilitation.