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Published on: October 11, 2024
Hearing impairment and hearing aid usage in Singapore
Eu Chin Ho1, HanYu Zhang2, Warren Ming Wu Ong2
1a Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery , Tan Tock Seng Hospital , Singapore.
Insights
Singaporean hearing aid users are typically elderly with severe hearing loss. Adoption of bilateral hearing aids and daily usage duration remain low, indicating a need for further research into usage patterns.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Hearing loss (HL) is a significant public health concern, particularly among the elderly.
- Hearing aid (HA) fitting and usage patterns vary globally, influencing audiological outcomes.
- Understanding these patterns in specific populations is crucial for optimizing hearing rehabilitation strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epidemiological and audiological characteristics of hearing aid users in Singapore.
- To analyze the patterns of hearing aid fitting and usage among these users.
- To identify factors influencing bilateral hearing aid adoption and continued usage.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted.
- Data from 1068 subjects fitted with hearing aids at a tertiary hospital between 2001 and 2013 were analyzed.
- Epidemiological, audiological, hearing aid type, and usage data were collected and examined.
Main Results:
- The cohort (n=1068) had a mean age of 70 years, with 50.8% males and a mean hearing loss of 63.1 dB.
- Sensorineural hearing loss (66.4%) and symmetrical hearing loss (69.8%) were common. "Behind-the-Ear" hearing aids were generally more affordable.
- While 85.6% used HAs ≥4 days/week, only 35.7% used them >7 hours/day. Bilateral HA fitting was low (18%), with younger age and symmetrical HL predicting bilateral uptake.
Conclusions:
- Singaporean hearing aid users are predominantly elderly with advanced hearing loss.
- Bilateral hearing aid adoption and average daily usage are lower compared to international benchmarks.
- Further research is recommended to explore patient motivation, hearing disability, and perceived hearing aid effectiveness to address suboptimal usage.
Objective:
To examine the epidemiological and audiological profile, pattern of hearing aid (HA) fitting and usage among HA users in Singapore.
Design:
Retrospective cross-sectional study.
Study Sample:
Cohort of 1068 subjects issued with HAs at a tertiary hospital between 2001 and 2013.
Results:
Mean age was 70 years with 50.8% male. Mean hearing loss (HL) was 63.1 dB and 69.5% had at least moderate-severe HL. Sensorineural HL was present in 66.4% and 69.8% had symmetrical HL. "Behind-the-Ear" HAs were cheaper than "In-Ear" HAs. Standard "Behind-The-Ear" HAs were also cheaper than "Receiver-in-Canal" HAs. Among In-Ear HAs, "In-the-Canal" and "Completely-in-Canal" were more popular than "In-the-Ear" HAs despite costing more. HA was used ≥4 days/week by 85.6% but >7 h per day by only 35.7%. Only 18% received bilateral first HA fitting. In multivariate analysis, younger age and symmetrical HL were predictors of bilateral HA uptake while better Pure-Tone-Audiometry of aided ear and >7 h of daily HA usage were predictors of successive HA fitting.
Conclusions:
HA users in Singapore were elderly and presented with advanced HL. Bilateral HA adoption and average daily use were low compared to other developed countries. Future research on understanding the suboptimal HA usage should explore patients' motivation, hearing disability, and HA effectiveness.
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