Efficacy and Effectiveness of Advanced Hearing Aid Directional and Noise Reduction Technologies for Older Adults With Mild to Moderate Hearing Loss

Introduction: The aims of this study were to examine the validity of self-perceived hearing loss in detecting hearing loss and factors associated with self-perceived hearing loss and hearing-help seeking and to report hearing aid adoption among a group of community-dwelling older adults in Malaysia. Methods: A total of 301 older adults (⩾60 years of age) participating in a study on aging had their hearing tested using pure-tone audiometry. Self-perceived hearing loss was assessed using a single question. Sociodemographic profile, otologic history, and general cognitive status were also obtained. Results: A single question had low sensitivity in detecting actual hearing loss: 31.3% for 4-frequency average > 25 dBHL and 48.8% for 4-frequency average > 40 dBHL. Besides hearing level, history of otorrhea and tinnitus were factors that were associated with self-perceived hearing loss among older adults with at least mild hearing loss. Hearing-help-seeking behavior was not associated with any of the tested variables. The hearing aid adoption rate was 2.7% and 7.3% among participants with 4-frequency averages > 25 dBHL and > 40 dBHL, respectively. Conclusion: The underestimation of hearing loss in the majority of older adults in this study poses a potential barrier to hearing loss intervention.

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Hearing Loss, Control, and Demographic Factors Influencing Hearing Aid Use Among Older Adults

Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research ◽

10.1044/jslhr.4103.527 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 41 (3) ◽

pp. 527-537 ◽

Cited By ~ 92

Author(s):

Dean C. Garstecki ◽

Susan F. Erler

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Hearing Loss ◽

Hearing Aids ◽

Psychological Control ◽

Hearing Aid ◽

Demographic Factors ◽

Ego Strength ◽

Hearing Sensitivity ◽

Hearing Aid Use ◽

Hearing Handicap

Preference for non-use of hearing aids among older adults who are candidates for amplification remains to be explained. Clinical studies have examined the contribution of consumer attitudes, behaviors, and life circumstances to this phenomenon. The present study extends the interests of earlier investigators in that it examines psychological control tendencies in combination with hearing loss and demographic variables among older adults who elected to accept (adherents) or ignore (nonadherents) advice from hearing professionals to acquire and use hearing aids. One hundred thirty-one individuals participated by completing measures of hearing, hearing handicap, psychological control, depression, and ego strength. Participants were asked to provide demographic information and personal opinions regarding hearing aid use. Adherence group and gender differences were noted on measures of hearing sensitivity, psychological control, and demographic factors. Female adherents demonstrated greater hearing loss and poorer word recognition ability but less hearing handicap, higher internal locus of control, higher ego strength, and fewer depressive tendencies than female nonadherents. They reported demographic advantages. Female adherents assumed responsibility for effective communication. Although male adherents and nonadherents did not differ significantly demographically, male adherents were more accepting of their hearing loss, took responsibility for communication problems, and found hearing aids less stigmatizing. Implications for clinical practice and future clinical investigations are identified and discussed. Results are expected to be of interest to clinicians, clinical investigators, and health care policymakers.

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Applying the COM-B Model to Assess the Usability of Smartphone-Connected Listening Devices in Adults with Hearing Loss

Journal of the American Academy of Audiology ◽

10.3766/jaaa.18061 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 30 (05) ◽

pp. 417-430 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

David W. Maidment ◽

Yasmin H. K. Ali ◽

Melanie A. Ferguson

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Hearing Aids ◽

Hearing Aid ◽

Sampling Strategy ◽

High Quality Research ◽

Semistructured Interviews ◽

The Everyday ◽

Sound Amplification ◽

Fine Tune ◽

Moderate Hearing Loss

AbstractUnlike conventional hearing aids, smartphone-connected listening devices may require limited or no input from a trained audiologist in terms of device programming and adjustment. However, there is a lack of peer-reviewed evidence assessing the real-world perspectives of people living with hearing loss toward such technological innovations.This study assessed the everyday experiences of adults living with hearing loss toward a range of smartphone-connected listening devices using the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, Behaviour (COM-B) model as a theoretical framework.A qualitative study where participants trialed one of the following smartphone-connected listening devices for two weeks in their everyday lives: made-for-smartphone hearing aid, personal sound amplification product, and smartphone “hearing aid” app with wired earphones or wireless hearable. Individual semistructured interviews were conducted.Twenty adults (13 male and 7 female; mean age = 62.25 years, SD = 11.59) with mild-to-moderate hearing loss (mean better ear pure-tone average = 30.49 dB HL, SD = 17.51) were recruited using a convenience sampling strategy. All participants owned conventional hearing aids.The data were analyzed using an established deductive thematic analysis procedure within the context of the COM-B model. The model stipulates that for individuals to engage in a particular behavior (B), they must have sufficient capability (C), opportunity (O), and motivation (M). Capability: One of the key advantages facilitating use and adherence of smartphone-connected listening devices was the ability for participants to make fine-tune adjustments in any listening situation. Opportunity: Participants commented that these devices could address issues surrounding stigma as smartphones are ubiquitous in everyday life. Motivation: Participants consistently reported that the ability to make adjustments via a smartphone provided them with a greater sense of autonomy and empowerment. As a result, they felt more in control of their hearing loss.This study lays the foundation for further high-quality research to explore whether smartphone-connected technologies have the potential to yield optimum benefits for people living with hearing loss.

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Moderate hearing loss is related with social frailty in a community-dwelling older adults: The Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study (KFACS)

Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics ◽

10.1016/j.archger.2019.04.004 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 83 ◽

pp. 126-130 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

M. Yoo ◽

S. Kim ◽

B.S. Kim ◽

J. Yoo ◽

S. Lee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Hearing Loss ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults ◽

Moderate Hearing Loss

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Socioeconomic differences in hearing among middle-aged and older adults: cross-sectional analyses using the Health Survey for England

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2017-019615 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. e019615 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Shaun Scholes ◽

Jane Biddulph ◽

Adrian Davis ◽

Jennifer S. Mindell

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Hearing Loss ◽

Health Survey ◽

Hearing Aids ◽

Hearing Aid ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Hearing Aid Use ◽

Health Survey For England

BackgroundHearing loss impacts on cognitive, social and physical functioning. Both hearing loss and hearing aid use vary across population subgroups. We examined whether hearing loss, and reported current hearing aid use among persons with hearing loss, were associated with different markers of socioeconomic status (SES) in a nationally representative sample of community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults.MethodsHearing was measured using an audiometric screening device in the Health Survey for England 2014 (3292 participants aged 45 years and over). Hearing loss was defined as >35 dB HL at 3.0 kHz in the better-hearing ear. Using sex-specific logistic regression modelling, we evaluated the associations between SES and hearing after adjustment for potential confounders.Results26% of men and 20% of women aged 45 years and over had hearing loss. Hearing loss was higher among men in the lowest SES groups. For example, the multivariable-adjusted odds of hearing loss were almost two times as high for those in the lowest versus the highest income tertile (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.74). Among those with hearing loss, 30% of men and 27% of women were currently using a hearing aid. Compared with men in the highest income tertile, the multivariable-adjusted odds of using a hearing aid nowadays were lower for men in the middle (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.99) and the lowest (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.97) income tertiles. Associations between SES and hearing were weaker or null among women.ConclusionsWhile the burden of hearing loss fell highest among men in the lowest SES groups, current hearing aid use was demonstrably lower. Initiatives to detect hearing loss early and increase the uptake and the use of hearing aids may provide substantial public health benefits and reduce socioeconomic inequalities in health.

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Hearing Impaired Children's Preference for, and Performance with, Four Combinations of Directional Microphone and Digital Noise Reduction Technology

Journal of the American Academy of Audiology ◽

10.3766/jaaa.24.9.7 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 24 (09) ◽

pp. 832-844 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Andrea L. Pittman ◽

Mollie M. Hiipakka

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Speech Perception ◽

Noise Reduction ◽

Hearing Aids ◽

Hearing Aid ◽

Directional Hearing ◽

Short Period ◽

Children With Hearing Loss ◽

And Performance ◽

Noise Management

Background: Before advanced noise-management features can be recommended for use in children with hearing loss, evidence regarding their ability to use these features to optimize speech perception is necessary. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between children's preference for, and performance with, four combinations of noise-management features in noisy listening environments. Research Design: Children with hearing loss were asked to repeat short sentences presented in steady-state noise or in multitalker babble while wearing ear-level hearing aids. The aids were programmed with four memories having an orthogonal arrangement of two noise-management features. The children were also asked to indicate the hearing aid memory that they preferred in each of the listening conditions both initially and after a short period of use. Study Sample: Fifteen children between the ages of 8 and 12 yr with moderate hearing losses, bilaterally. Results: The children's preference for noise management aligned well with their performance for at least three of the four listening conditions. The configuration of noise-management features had little effect on speech perception with the exception of reduced performance for speech originating from behind the child while in a directional hearing aid setting. Additionally, the children's preference appeared to be governed by listening comfort, even under conditions for which a benefit was not expected such as the use of digital noise reduction in the multitalker babble conditions. Conclusions: The results serve as evidence in support of the use of noise-management features in grade-school children as young as 8 yr of age.

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Age-related hearing loss in older adults with cognitive impairment

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610216001459 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 115-121 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Olivia Nirmalasari ◽

Sara K. Mamo ◽

Carrie L. Nieman ◽

Allison Simpson ◽

Jessica Zimmerman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Hearing Loss ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Medical History ◽

Hearing Aids ◽

Hearing Aid ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Cognitive Status ◽

Memory Clinic ◽

Care Plans

ABSTRACTBackground:Hearing loss can impair effective communication between caregivers and individuals with cognitive impairment. However, hearing loss is not often measured or addressed in care plans for these individuals. The aim of this study is to measure the prevalence of hearing loss and the utilization of hearing aids in a sample of individuals with cognitive impairment in a tertiary care memory clinic.Methods:A retrospective review of 133 charts of individuals >50 years who underwent hearing assessment at a tertiary care memory clinic over a 12-month period (June 2014–June 2015) was undertaken. Using descriptive statistics, the prevalence of hearing loss was determined and associations with demographic variables, relevant medical history, cognitive status, and hearing aid utilization were investigated.Results:Results indicate that hearing loss is highly prevalent among this sample of cognitively impaired older adults. Sixty percent of the sample had at least a mild hearing loss in the better hearing ear. Among variables examined, age, MMSE, and medical history of diabetes were strongly associated with hearing impairment. Hearing aid utilization increased in concordance with severity of hearing loss, from 9% to 54% of individuals with a mild or moderate/severe hearing loss, respectively.Conclusions:Hearing loss is highly prevalent among older adults with cognitive impairment. Despite high prevalence of hearing loss, hearing aid utilization remains low. Our study highlights the importance of hearing evaluation and rehabilitation as part of the cognitive assessment and care management plan in this vulnerable population.

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Longitudinal associations between hearing aid usage and cognition in community-dwelling Japanese older adults with moderate hearing loss

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0258520 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (10) ◽

pp. e0258520

Author(s):

Saiko Sugiura ◽

Yukiko Nishita ◽

Yasue Uchida ◽

Mariko Shimono ◽

Hirokazu Suzuki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Hearing Loss ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Pure Tone ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Pure Tone Average ◽

Time Interaction ◽

Picture Completion ◽

Moderate Hearing Loss

We investigated the associations between hearing aids (HA) and the maintenance of cognitive function among community-dwelling older adults with moderate hearing loss. A total of 407 participants aged 60 years or older with moderate hearing loss were recruited from the National Institute for Longevity Sciences, Longitudinal Study for Aging (NILS-LSA). Moderate hearing loss was defined as a pure-tone average of 40–69 dB at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz of the better ear, according to the definition proposed by the Japan Audiological Society. Cognitive function was evaluated using the four subtests of the Japanese version of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised Short Forms (WAIS-R-SF): Information, Similarities, Picture completion, and Digit Symbol Substitution (DSST). A longitudinal analysis of 1192 observations with a mean follow-up period of 4.5 ± 3.9 years was performed. The HA use rate at any time during the follow-up period was 31.4%, and HA users were significantly younger (t-test, p = 0.001), had worse hearing (p < .0001) and higher education (p = 0.001), participated more frequently in the survey (p < .0001), and were less depressed (χ2 test, p = 0.003) than the older adults not using HA. General linear mixed models consisted of the fixed effects of HA use, follow-up time, and an HA use × time interaction term adjusted for age and pure-tone average thresholds at baseline, sex, education, and other possible confounders. HA use showed significant main effects on the scores for Picture completion and DSST after adjustment; scores were better in the HA use group than in the no HA use group. The HA use × time interaction was significant for the Information score (p = 0.040). The model-predicted 12-year slope with centralizing age indicated that the no HA use group showed greater decline over time on Information scores than did HA use group. The slopes did not differ between HA users and non-users for the Similarities, Picture completion and DSST. In conclusion, HA use may have a protective effect on the decline in general knowledge in older adults with moderate hearing loss.

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Hearing Loss, Hearing Aid Use and Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults – Findings from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Neurocognitive Study (ARIC-NCS)

The Journals of Gerontology Series B ◽

10.1093/geronb/gbz128 ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Aishwarya Shukla ◽

Nicholas Reed ◽

Nicole M Armstrong ◽

Frank R Lin ◽

Jennifer A Deal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Hearing Loss ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Hearing Aid ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Normal Hearing ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities ◽

Hearing Aid Use ◽

Atherosclerosis Risk

Abstract OBJECTIVES Investigate the cross-sectional association between hearing loss (HL), hearing aid use, and depressive symptoms in community-dwelling older adults. METHOD The analytic sample consisted of 3188 participants (age range 71-94 years) in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Neurocognitive Study (ARIC-NCS). Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the association of audiometric hearing status and self-reported hearing aid use with depressive symptoms (11-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale). RESULTS 4.6% of participants had depressive symptoms. 40% had mild HL and 27% had moderate or greater HL. In multivariable-adjusted models, mild HL was associated with 1.90 times higher odds (95% Confidence Interval, [CI] 1.20-3.01) and moderate or greater HL with 2.42 times higher odds (95% CI 1.44-4.07) of depressive symptoms compared to normal hearing. Each 10dB increase in HL was associated with 1.30 higher odds of depressive symptoms (95% CI 1.14-1.49). Hearing aid use was not associated with depressive symptoms among those with mild (Odds Ratio [OR] 0.94, 95% CI 0.35-2.54) or moderate or greater (OR 1.12, 95% CI 0.60-2.11) HL. DISCUSSION Older adults with HL have higher odds of depressive symptoms compared to adults with normal hearing. Future studies are needed to assess whether hearing care is protective against depressive symptoms in older adults.

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