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Longitudinal study of hearing aid effectiveness. II: Subjective measures
R A Bentler1, D P Niebuhr, J P Getta
1Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, Wendell Johnson Speech and Hearing Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242.
Journal of Speech and Hearing Research
|August 1, 1993
Summary
Hearing aid users reported improved speech understanding in quiet environments and exceeded expectations over a 12-month period. Subjective feedback showed linear circuits performed better than noise-reduction circuits.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Hearing Science
- Rehabilitation Engineering
Background:
- Longitudinal studies are crucial for understanding long-term hearing aid outcomes.
- Assessing subjective user experience complements objective audiological measures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the 12-month subjective outcomes for hearing aid users.
- To investigate the influence of hearing loss characteristics and device features on user satisfaction.
- To explore the relationship between objective performance and subjective self-assessment.
Main Methods:
- A 12-month longitudinal follow-up of 65 hearing aid users.
- Subjective assessments included the Hearing Performance Inventory (HPI), an expectations checklist, a qualitative judgment task, and a satisfaction questionnaire.
- Factors analyzed: degree/configuration of hearing loss, previous experience, daily use, and circuit type.
Main Results:
- Significant improvements were noted in HPI items related to quiet listening conditions.
- Users' performance generally exceeded their initial expectations.
- Linear hearing aid circuits were perceived to have better sound quality than noise-reduction circuits.
- A weak correlation was found between objective speech recognition and subjective communication performance.
Conclusions:
- Subjective measures indicate positive outcomes for hearing aid users, particularly in quiet settings.
- User expectations are often surpassed, suggesting effective amplification management.
- The validity and optimal timing of subjective outcome measures warrant further investigation.