Hearing aid use and gender differences in the auditory-cognitive cascade in the oldest old

AbstractPrevious research, mostly reliant on self-reports, has indicated that hearing aid (HA) use is related to the degree of hearing impairment (HI). No large-scale investigation of the relationship between data-logged HA use and HI has been conducted to date.This study aimed to investigate if objective measures of overall daily HA use and HA use in various listening environments are different for adults with mild HI compared to adults with moderate HI.This retrospective study used data extracted from a database of fitting appointments from an international group of HA providers. Only data from the participants’ most recent fitting appointment were included in the final dataset.A total of 8,489 bilateral HA fittings of adults over the age of 18 yr, conducted between January 2013 and June 2014, were included. Participants were subsequently allocated to HI groups, based on British Society of Audiology and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association audiometric descriptors.Fitting data from participating HA providers were regularly transferred to a central server. The data, with all personal information except age and gender removed, contained participants’ four-frequency average (at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz) as well as information on HA characteristics and usage. Following data cleaning, bivariate and post hoc statistical analyses were conducted.The total sample of adults’ average daily HA use was 8.52 hr (interquartile range [IQR] = 5.49–11.77) in the left ear and 8.51 hr (IQR = 5.49–11.72) in the right ear. With a few exceptions, there were no statistical differences between hours of HA use for participants with mild HI compared to those with moderate impairment. Across all mild and moderate HI groups, the most common overall HA usage was between 8 and 12 hr per day. Other factors such as age, gender, and HA style also showed no relationship to hours of use. HAs were used, on average, for 7 hr (IQR = 4.27–9.96) per day in quiet and 1 hr (IQR = 0.33–1.41) per day in noisy listening situations.Clinical populations with mild HI use HAs as frequently as those with a moderate HI. These findings support the recommendation of HAs for adults with milder degrees of HI.

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Sentence-Based Experience Logging in New Hearing Aid Users

American Journal of Audiology ◽

10.1044/2020_aja-19-00077 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (3S) ◽

pp. 631-637

Author(s):

Katja Lund ◽

Rodrigo Ordoñez ◽

Jens Bo Nielsen ◽

Dorte Hammershøi

Keyword(s):

Hearing Aid ◽

Patient Experiences ◽

Online Tool ◽

Rehabilitation Process ◽

Hearing Rehabilitation ◽

Clinical Observations ◽

Hearing Aid Use ◽

Wide Range ◽

Insight Into ◽

Shed Light

Purpose The aim of this study was to develop a tool to gain insight into the daily experiences of new hearing aid users and to shed light on aspects of aided performance that may not be unveiled through standard questionnaires. Method The tool is developed based on clinical observations, patient experiences, expert involvement, and existing validated hearing rehabilitation questionnaires. Results An online tool for collecting data related to hearing aid use was developed. The tool is based on 453 prefabricated sentences representing experiences within 13 categories related to hearing aid use. Conclusions The tool has the potential to reflect a wide range of individual experiences with hearing aid use, including auditory and nonauditory aspects. These experiences may hold important knowledge for both the patient and the professional in the hearing rehabilitation process.

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Use of a Mild-Gain Hearing Aid by Middle-Age Normal-Hearing Adults Who Do and Do Not Self-Report Trouble Hearing in Background Noise

American Journal of Audiology ◽

10.1044/2020_aja-19-00051 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (3) ◽

pp. 419-428

Author(s):

Jasleen Singh ◽

Karen A. Doherty

Keyword(s):

Hearing Aids ◽

Background Noise ◽

Middle Age ◽

Hearing Aid ◽

Normal Hearing ◽

Self Report ◽

Hearing Aid Use ◽

Hearing Handicap ◽

Before And After ◽

Hearing Problems

Purpose The aim of the study was to assess how the use of a mild-gain hearing aid can affect hearing handicap, motivation, and attitudes toward hearing aids for middle-age, normal-hearing adults who do and do not self-report trouble hearing in background noise. Method A total of 20 participants (45–60 years of age) with clinically normal-hearing thresholds (< 25 dB HL) were enrolled in this study. Ten self-reported difficulty hearing in background noise, and 10 did not self-report difficulty hearing in background noise. All participants were fit with mild-gain hearing aids, bilaterally, and were asked to wear them for 2 weeks. Hearing handicap, attitudes toward hearing aids and hearing loss, and motivation to address hearing problems were evaluated before and after participants wore the hearing aids. Participants were also asked if they would consider purchasing a hearing aid before and after 2 weeks of hearing aid use. Results After wearing the hearing aids for 2 weeks, hearing handicap scores decreased for the participants who self-reported difficulty hearing in background noise. No changes in hearing handicap scores were observed for the participants who did not self-report trouble hearing in background noise. The participants who self-reported difficulty hearing in background noise also reported greater personal distress from their hearing problems, were more motivated to address their hearing problems, and had higher levels of hearing handicap compared to the participants who did not self-report trouble hearing in background noise. Only 20% (2/10) of the participants who self-reported trouble hearing in background noise reported that they would consider purchasing a hearing aid after 2 weeks of hearing aid use. Conclusions The use of mild-gain hearing aids has the potential to reduce hearing handicap for normal-hearing, middle-age adults who self-report difficulty hearing in background noise. However, this may not be the most appropriate treatment option for their current hearing problems given that only 20% of these participants would consider purchasing a hearing aid after wearing hearing aids for 2 weeks.

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Understanding Limited Use of Amplification in Infants and Children Who Are Hard of Hearing

Perspectives on Hearing and Hearing Disorders in Childhood ◽

10.1044/hhdc25.1.15 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 15-23 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ryan W. McCreery ◽

Elizabeth A. Walker ◽

Meredith Spratford

Keyword(s):

Hard Of Hearing ◽

Hearing Aid ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Infants And Children ◽

Future Research ◽

Research Needs ◽

Case Examples ◽

Hearing Aid Use ◽

Wide Range ◽

In Infants And Children

The effectiveness of amplification for infants and children can be mediated by how much the child uses the device. Existing research suggests that establishing hearing aid use can be challenging. A wide range of factors can influence hearing aid use in children, including the child's age, degree of hearing loss, and socioeconomic status. Audiological interventions, including using validated prescriptive approaches and verification, performing on-going training and orientation, and communicating with caregivers about hearing aid use can also increase hearing aid use by infants and children. Case examples are used to highlight the factors that influence hearing aid use. Potential management strategies and future research needs are also discussed.

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Monitoring Progress for Children with Hearing Loss

Perspectives on Hearing and Hearing Disorders in Childhood ◽

10.1044/hhdc24.2.74 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 24 (2) ◽

pp. 74-81

Author(s):

Monica Weston ◽

Karen F. Muñoz ◽

Kristina Blaiser

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Hearing Aid ◽

Full Time ◽

Data Logging ◽

Standardized Measures ◽

Word Structure ◽

Hearing Aid Use ◽

Outcomes For Children ◽

Language Measures ◽

Children With Hearing Loss

Purpose This study investigated average hours of daily hearing aid use and speech-language outcomes for children age 3 to 6 years of age with hearing loss. Method Objective measures of hearing aid use were collected via data logging. Speech and language measures included standardized measures GFTA-2, CELF Preschool-2 and additional item analyses for the word structure subtest CELF Preschool-2 and the GFTA-2. Results Hearing aid use was full time for 33% of the children (n=3; M=8.84 hours; Range: 2.9–12.1) at the beginning of the study, and for 78% at the end of the study (n=7; M=9.89 hours; Range 2.6–13.2). All participants demonstrated an improvement in articulation and language standard scores and percentiles however continued to demonstrate areas of weakness in sounds high-frequency in nature. Conclusions Through early identification and fitting, children gain access to speech sounds. Both standardized measures and individual language analysis should be used to identify and support children with hearing loss in language and subsequent literacy development.

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Brief Report. The PCL-R and Gender

European Journal of Psychological Assessment ◽

10.1027//1015-5759.16.3.147 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 147-149 ◽

Cited By ~ 44

Author(s):

Martin Grann

Keyword(s):

Gender Differences ◽

Sexual Behavior ◽

Discriminant Analysis ◽

Juvenile Delinquency ◽

Violent Offenders ◽

Matched Pairs ◽

Psychopathy Checklist ◽

Psychopathy Checklist Revised ◽

And Gender

Summary: Hare's Psychopathy Checklist - Revised (PCL-R; Hare, 1991 ) was originally constructed for use among males in correctional and forensic settings. In this study, the PCL-R protocols of 36 matched pairs of female and male violent offenders were examined with respect to gender differences. The results indicated a few significant differences. By means of discriminant analysis, male Ss were distinguished from their female counterparts through their relatively higher scores on “callous/lack of empathy” (item 8) and “juvenile delinquency” (item 18), whereas the female Ss scored relatively higher on “promiscuous sexual behavior” (item 11). Some sources of bias and possible implications are discussed.

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Personal Problem Solving of Partners in Divorce Proceedings

Rorschachiana Journal of the International Society for the Rorschach ◽

10.1027/1192-5604/a000053 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 36 (1) ◽

pp. 82-103 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Tereza Soukupova ◽

Petr Goldmann

Keyword(s):

Gender Differences ◽

Problem Solving ◽

Thematic Apperception Test ◽

Scoring Systems ◽

Personal Control ◽

Personality Characteristics ◽

Personal Problem ◽

Thematic Apperception ◽

And Gender ◽

The Given

Abstract. The Thematic Apperception Test is one of the most frequently administered apperceptive techniques. Formal scoring systems are helpful in evaluating story responses. TAT stories, made by 20 males and 20 females in the situation of legal divorce proceedings, were coded for detection and comparison of their personal problem solving ability. The evaluating instrument utilized was the Personal Problem Solving System-Revised (PPSS-R) as developed by G. F. Ronan. The results indicate that in relation to card 1, men more often than women saw the cause of the problem as removable. With card 6GF, women were more motivated to resolve the given problem than were men, women had a higher personal control and their stories contained more optimism compared to men’s stories. In relation to card 6BM women, more often than men, used emotions generated from the problem to orient themselves within the problem. With card 13MF, the men’s level of stress was less compared to that of the women, and men were more able to plan within the context of problem-solving. Significant differences in the examined groups were found in those cards which depicted significant gender and parental potentials. The TAT can be used to help identify personality characteristics and gender differences.

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