Survey of binaural hearing aid users

Two hundred four subjects supplied with binaural hearing aids through the British National National Health Service were surveyed by means of a postal questionnaire regarding their use of, attitudes of, and satisfaction with the two aids. The majority were using both aids regularly and extensively, and with high levels of satisfaction. Background noise was identified as the acoustic environment creating the greatest difficulty. Wind noise especially was a problem, although a few subjects had devised ways of coping. Significantly better attitudes within the family were reported by the good users, but it was not possible to establish which was cause and which effect. Binaural aids were reported as being significantly better than monaural aids in reducing the problems associated with tinnitus, which was present in almost half the subjects surveyed. Undoubtedly the majority of the patients reviewed believed that their auditory performance, social competence, and personal enjoyment of life were enhanced since changing to binaural aids.