Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026
Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
Published on: March 24, 2023
A Multidimensional Comparison of Psychosocial Adjustment, Functional Hearing, and Device Benefit in Adult Hearing
Bamini Gopinath1, Alicia Zou1, Jessica Turner1
1Macquarie University Hearing Research Centre, School of Health Sciences and Nursing, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.
Abstract:
Background: While previous research has examined individual aspects of hearing loss, such as perceived hearing handicap, functional hearing ability, or hearing device outcomes, these domains are rarely evaluated together within the same cohort. We aimed to address this gap by providing a multidimensional assessment of hearing-related outcomes and comparing measures of perceived hearing handicap, psychosocial adjustment to hearing loss, functional hearing ability, and device-related benefit between hearing aid, cochlear implant, and bimodal device users. Methods: Cross-sectional data were collected from 749 adults aged ≥40 years using hearing aids (n = 467), cochlear implants (n = 150), or bimodal devices (n = 132), during 2022-2024. Measures of hearing handicap (Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly Screening, HHIE-S), psychosocial responses to hearing loss (Attitudes towards Loss of Hearing Questionnaire, ALHQ), real-world hearing ability (Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale, SSQ), and outcomes of hearing device use (International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Devices, IOI-HD) were collected. Results: After multivariate adjustment, hearing aid users versus bimodal and cochlear implant users had significantly higher ALHQ scores in the domain of negative associations (suggestive of negative attitudes or stigma attached to hearing aid use): 2.22 (0.05) versus 1.92 (0.09) (p = 0.0067) and 1.90 (0.09) (p = 0.0145), respectively. Hearing aid users had significantly higher SSQ spatial scores (better sound localization and spatial perception) compared to bimodal device users (5.13 versus 4.45, p = 0.0254). Total IOI-HD scores were significantly lower in hearing aid users (reflective of irregular, inconsistent daily usage of the device) compared to cochlear implant users (p < 0.0001) and bimodal device users (p = 0.0007). HHIE-S scores were not significantly different between device user groups after multivariate adjustment. Conclusions: This multidimensional approach provides new insight into the heterogeneity of hearing experiences and may help inform more person-centered models of hearing care.
