Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2025

Neuro-rehabilitation Approach for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Published on: January 25, 2016
HEARINGtogether study: barriers to hearing aid acquisition and use in German nursing homes - The residents'
Anja Pähler Vor der Holte1, Lisa Krech1, Merle Bock1
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Nordstadt Clinic, Academic Hospital, Hanover, Germany.
Objectives:
This study investigates barriers to hearing aid acquisition and usage in nursing homes from the residents' perspective.
Design And Study Sample:
85 residents (mean age 83.8 years) were recruited from four nursing homes. Residents underwent pure tone and speech audiograms, completed the Nursing Home Hearing Index (NHHI), and a questionnaire on hearing aids.
Results:
25 residents had untreated severe hearing loss (29.4%), but many were reluctant to pursue rehabilitation (15/25). Those hesitant to adopt hearing aids had less severe hearing loss (55.2 dB vs. 66.0 dB for residents open towards hearing aids), were less aware of their hearing loss, felt less impact in their daily life (NHHI 29.3pts vs. 40.4pts), and held more negative preconceptions towards hearing aids. Among residents that already used hearing aids, problems with practical handling were the predominant barrier to regular use, followed by lack of perceived benefit, and barriers in healthcare access.
Conclusions:
Raising early awareness for hearing loss is important to improve chances for rehabilitation. Educating medical staff in hearing health is crucial to raise awareness for hearing loss, support residents in daily life, and improve adherence to hearing aids. On-site services are essential for nursing homes to facilitate access to healthcare providers.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Barriers to Effective Communication II
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...
Documentation in Long-Term and Home Healthcare Setting
Long-Term Care Facilities
Barriers to Effective Communication I
Communication barriers include the following:
Physiological barriers: They are limitations caused by a person's health condition or disability, such as hearing loss, poor eyesight, illness, or unconsciousness. An example to overcome this...
The Cochlea
Hearing

