| Preference for one or two hearing AIDS among adult patients. | |
| | |
MedLine Citation:
|
PMID: 20890203 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
|
OBJECTIVES: Most practitioners believe that use of two hearing aids is the ideal fitting for adults with bilateral symmetrical hearing loss. However, previous research has consistently shown that a substantial proportion of these patients actually prefer to use only one hearing aid. This study explored whether this pattern of preferences is seen with technologically advanced hearing aids. In addition, a selection of variables that were available prefitting were used to attempt to predict which patients will prefer one hearing aid rather than two. DESIGN: The study was designed as a 12-week field trial including structured and unstructured use of one and two hearing aids. Ninety-four subjects with mild to moderate bilaterally symmetrical hearing loss were bilaterally fit with 2005-2007 era hearing aids. Potential predictors included demographic, audiometric, auditory lifestyle, personality, and binaural processing variables. After the field trial, each subject stated his or her preference for one or two hearing aids and completed three self-report outcome questionnaires for their preferred fitting. RESULTS: Previous research was confirmed with modern technology hearing aids: after the field trial, 46% of the subjects preferred to use one hearing aid rather than two. Subjects who preferred two hearing aids tended to report better real-world outcomes than those who preferred one. Subjects who reported more hearing problems in daily life, who experienced more binaural loudness summation, and whose ears were more equivalent in dichotic listening were more likely to prefer to use two hearing aids. Contrary to conventional wisdom (ideas that are generally accepted as true), audiometric hearing loss and auditory lifestyle were not predictive of aiding preference. However, the best predictive approach from these data yielded accurate predictions for only two-thirds of the subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence-based practice calls for a conscientious melding of current evidence, clinical judgment, and patient preferences. The results of this research challenge practitioners to recognize that many patients who seem to be ideal candidates for bilateral aiding will actually prefer to wear only one hearing aid. Furthermore, at this time, there is no accurate method that will predict which patients will prefer one hearing aid rather than two. At present, the most effective approach open to practitioners would be to conduct a candid unbiased systematic field trial allowing each patient to compare unilateral and bilateral fittings in daily life. This might necessitate more fitting sessions and could perhaps add to the practitioner's burden. This downside should be weighed against the additional patient satisfaction that can be anticipated as a result of transparency in the fitting protocol, collaboration with the patient in the treatment decisions, and the knowledge of selecting the most cost-effective patient-centered solution. |
| | |
Authors:
|
Robyn M Cox; Kathryn S Schwartz; Colleen M Noe; Genevieve C Alexander |
Related Documents
:
|
15453943 - Bony overgrowth onto fixture component of a bone-anchored hearing aid. 651513 - Sympsium on hearing loss--the otolaryngologist's responsibility. habilitation and rehab... 15369033 - Spatial and temporal distribution of cholera in ecuador between 1991 and 1996. |
Publication Detail:
|
Type: Clinical Trial; Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural |
Journal Detail:
|
Title: Ear and hearing Volume: 32 ISSN: 1538-4667 ISO Abbreviation: Ear Hear Publication Date: 2011 Mar-Apr |
Date Detail:
|
Created Date: 2011-02-21 Completed Date: 2011-06-16 Revised Date: 2012-03-07 |
Medline Journal Info:
|
Nlm Unique ID: 8005585 Medline TA: Ear Hear Country: United States |
Other Details:
|
Languages: eng Pagination: 181-97 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
|
School of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38105, USA. robyncox@memphis.edu |
Export Citation:
|
APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
|
Aged Aged, 80 and over Choice Behavior Cross-Over Studies Female Hearing Aids / psychology* Hearing Loss, Bilateral / rehabilitation* Humans Loudness Perception Male Middle Aged Outcome Assessment (Health Care) Patient Preference / economics, psychology* Patient Satisfaction Prosthesis Fitting Questionnaires |
| Grant Support | |
ID/Acronym/Agency:
|
R01 DC006222-04/DC/NIDCD NIH HHS; R01DC006222/DC/NIDCD NIH HHS |
| Comments/Corrections | |
Erratum In:
|
Ear Hear. 2011 May-Jun;32(3):409 |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
Previous Document: Primary hyperparathyroidism: an update.
Next Document: Effect of tinnitus retraining therapy on the loudness and annoyance of tinnitus: a controlled trial.