Document Detail


Management of Hearing Aid Assembly by Urban-Dwelling Hearing-Impaired Adults in a Developed Country: Implications for a Self-Fitting Hearing Aid.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  22200734     Owner:  NLM     Status:  Publisher    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
A self-fitting hearing aid, designed to be assembled and programmed without audiological or computer support, could bring amplification to millions of people in developing countries, who remain unaided due to the lack of a local, professional, audiological infrastructure. The ability to assemble and insert a hearing aid is fundamental to the successful use of a self-fitting device. In this study, the management of such tasks was investigated. Eighty older, urban-dwelling, hearing-impaired adults in a developed country were asked to follow a set of written, illustrated instructions to assemble two slim-fit behind-the-ear hearing aids. Participants were allowed to access assistance with the task from an accompanying partner. A range of personal and audiometric variables was measured through the use of structured questionnaires and standardized tests of health literacy, cognitive function, and manual dexterity. The results showed that 99% of participants were able to complete the hearing aid assembly task, either on their own or with assistance. Health literacy, or the ability to read and understand health-related text, and gender most strongly influenced participants' ability to complete the assembly task independently and accurately. Higher levels of health literacy were associated with an increased likelihood of independent and successful task completion. Male participants were more likely to complete the task on their own, while female participants were more likely to assemble the device without errors. The results of this study will inform future work regarding development of educational material for the self-fitting hearing aid as well as candidacy for such a device.
Authors:
Elizabeth Convery; Gitte Keidser; Lisa Hartley; Andrea Caposecco; Louise Hickson; Carly Meyer
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Publication Detail:
Type:  JOURNAL ARTICLE     Date:  2011-12-26
Journal Detail:
Title:  Trends in amplification     Volume:  -     ISSN:  1940-5588     ISO Abbreviation:  -     Publication Date:  2011 Dec 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-12-27     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9709254     Medline TA:  Trends Amplif     Country:  -    
Other Details:
Languages:  ENG     Pagination:  -     Citation Subset:  -    
Affiliation:
National Acoustic Laboratories, Chatswood, New South Wales, Australia, HEARing Cooperative Research Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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