Reported benefits and problems experienced with bone-anchored hearing aids

Within this study we have examined the self-reported benefits and shortcomings experienced by patients fitted with bone-anchored hearing aids using an open-ended approach developed for hearing aid users. Reports were obtained from 39 patients who, between them, listed 165 benefits and 105 shortcomings. Benefits and shortcomings could be sub-divided into four main groups: practical, acoustical, psychological and medical, in that order of frequency. The most commonly reported benefits included hearing better and clearer, ease of use, inconspicuousness, and the fact that it made the individual more confident. The main shortcomings were difficulties with the telephone, wind noise and hearing speech in noise.