Consumer Perspectives for a Future Mobile App to Document Real-World Listening Difficulties: Qualitative Study

Area of Science:

• Audiology and Hearing Science
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Digital Health

Background:

• Self-collection of hearing data in real-world settings offers potential for improved clinical care and consumer empowerment.
• Clinician support for self-monitoring approaches to hearing loss management has been previously established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore consumer experiences with listening difficulties to identify data suitable for a mobile app.
• To understand consumer preferences for mobile app features.
• To gauge consumer opinions on the value and desired features of an app for documenting listening difficulties.

Main Methods:

• Three focus groups were conducted with 27 adults reporting hearing loss.
• Discussions were guided by a topic guide and analyzed using inductive content analysis.
• Participants were predominantly users of hearing devices.

Main Results:

• Consumers endorsed the concept of a mobile app for documenting personal listening difficulties.
• Valuable insights were gathered on early hearing loss indicators, triggers for seeking devices, influencing factors (noise, group size), and consequences (social, emotional).
• Desired app features included visual data collection, flexible input methods, and clinician data sharing.

Conclusions:

• Findings support the co-design and piloting of a mobile app prototype.
• The app aims to enhance self-awareness of listening difficulties.
• Data collected can be shared with clinicians to aid in shared decision-making.