Satisfaction with fitted hearing aids. II. An investigation into the influence of psycho-social factors

In the first article an analysis of technical information about hearing aid satisfaction, obtained by a questionnaire, was presented. To obtain complementary information, interviews were held with patients who showed a low satisfaction. This has led to an inventory of the factors in the psycho-social field of importance in the process of rehabilitation. The questionnaire has been modified and 165 hearing aid patients have been evaluated with this updated questionnaire. Analysis of the information obtained shows that the answers given intercorrelate well. It may be surmised that the approach is based on a sort of "attitude" incorporated in the given score and defining the hearing aid satsifaction. The audiometric features of the patients intercorrelate as well. It is surprising that the correlation between the audiometric features and the satisfaction with the aid is low, and this is discussed. The question arises as to what degree the routine audiometric tests reveal the relevant features and the impaired hearing. Where it seems to be impossible to use the available audiometric features for making a prediction about the satisfaction, the conclusion is drawn that full attention must be given to training in the use of the hearing aid.