Low Prevalence of Hearing Aid Use Among Older Adults with Hearing Loss: The Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study

1998 ◽  
Vol 46 (9) ◽  
pp. 1075-1078 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael M. Popelka ◽  
Karen J. Cruickshanks ◽  
Terry L. Wiley ◽  
Theodore S. Tweed ◽  
Barbara E. K. Klein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Hearing Aid Use ◽  
Low Prevalence

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

1998 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 527-537 ◽  
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.

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

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. e019615 ◽  
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.

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

2019 ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Self-Reported Hearing Loss in Older Adults Is Associated With Higher Emergency Department Visits and Medical Costs

2019 ◽  
Vol 56 ◽  
pp. 004695801989690
Author(s):  
Timothy S. Wells ◽  
Lizi Wu ◽  
Gandhi R. Bhattarai ◽  
Lorraine D. Nickels ◽  
Steven R. Rush ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Health Care Utilization ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Medical Costs ◽  
Care Utilization ◽  
Severe Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aid Use

Hearing loss is common among older adults. Thus, it was of interest to explore differences in health care utilization and costs associated with hearing loss and hearing aid use. Hearing loss and hearing aid use were assessed through self-reports and included 5 categories: no hearing loss, aided mild, unaided mild, aided severe, and unaided severe hearing loss. Health care utilization and costs were obtained from medical claims. Those with aided mild or severe hearing loss were significantly more likely to have an emergency department visit. Conversely, those with aided severe hearing loss were about 15% less likely to be hospitalized. Individuals with unaided severe hearing loss had the highest annual medical costs ($14349) compared with those with no hearing loss ($12118, P < .001). In this study, those with unaided severe hearing loss had the highest medical costs. Further studies should attempt to better understand the relationship between hearing loss, hearing aid use, and medical costs.

scholarly journals Association Between Hearing Aid Use and Health Care Use and Cost Among Older Adults With Hearing Loss

2018 ◽  
Vol 144 (6) ◽  
pp. 498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elham Mahmoudi ◽  
Philip Zazove ◽  
Michelle Meade ◽  
Michael M. McKee
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Health Care Use ◽  
Hearing Aid Use

scholarly journals Characteristics and Health Outcomes Associated With Hearing Loss and Hearing Aid Use Among Older Adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 724-734 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy S. Wells ◽  
Lorraine D. Nickels ◽  
Steven R. Rush ◽  
Shirley A. Musich ◽  
Lizi Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Mobility Limitations ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Hearing Aid Use ◽  
Psychosocial Conditions ◽  
Study Designs

Background: This study recruited older adults to explore physical and psychosocial conditions and other health outcomes associated with hearing loss (HL) and hearing aid use. Method: Survey data were used to categorize 20,244 participants into five groups: no HL, unaided mild HL, aided mild HL, unaided severe HL, and aided severe HL. Results: Individuals with unaided severe HL were more likely to report poor-fair self-rated health and were less likely to leave the home, or exercise 4 to 7 days per week, while there were no such associations for those with aided mild or severe HL. In addition, those with aided hearing were less likely to report depression, low social support, or mobility limitations. Discussion: In several instances, hearing aid use reduced associations between HL and negative psychosocial and physical characteristics, and health outcomes. More research using longitudinal study designs is needed to better understand the true implications of these findings.

Predictors of Hearing Aid Use in an Older, Community-Based, New Zealand Veteran Sample: Implications for Aural Rehabilitation

2004 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 57-68
Author(s):  
Judy Blakey ◽  
Fiona Alpass ◽  
Nigel Long ◽  
Nancy Pachana
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Aural Rehabilitation ◽  
Chronic Disability ◽  
Hearing Aid Use ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Ongoing Support

Hearing loss is the third most prevalent chronic disability among older adults, with older adults the prime users of aural rehabilitation services. Ex-service personnel, in particular, frequently develop hearing-related disorders, and yet research on hearing aid utilisation in this group is sparse. The present study explored predictors of hearing aid use in a randomly selected sample of 1249 New Zealand veterans. Perceived benefit, performance and ease of use of aid(s) were related to increased use. Older veterans were more likely to use their aid(s) and greater overall hearing loss also increased adherence; however, inexperienced wearers were less adherent. Satisfaction with audiological service and overall satisfaction with the performance of the aid(s) was also linked to use. Health related variables were unrelated to frequency of aid use. These results highlight the need to provide ongoing support for all veterans, but in particular novice users, who become engaged in ongoing aural rehabilitation processes.

scholarly journals Effects of age-related hearing loss and hearing aid experience on sentence processing

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Margreet Vogelzang ◽  
Christiane M. Thiel ◽  
Stephanie Rosemann ◽  
Jochem W. Rieger ◽  
Esther Ruigendijk
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Speech Processing ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Complex Sentences ◽  
Hearing Aid Use ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Simple Sentences ◽  
Age Related Hearing Loss ◽  
Loss Severity

AbstractAge-related hearing loss typically affects the hearing of high frequencies in older adults. Such hearing loss influences the processing of spoken language, including higher-level processing such as that of complex sentences. Hearing aids may alleviate some of the speech processing disadvantages associated with hearing loss. However, little is known about the relation between hearing loss, hearing aid use, and their effects on higher-level language processes. This neuroimaging (fMRI) study examined these factors by measuring the comprehension and neural processing of simple and complex spoken sentences in hard-of-hearing older adults (n = 39). Neither hearing loss severity nor hearing aid experience influenced sentence comprehension at the behavioral level. In contrast, hearing loss severity was associated with increased activity in left superior frontal areas and the left anterior insula, but only when processing specific complex sentences (i.e. object-before-subject) compared to simple sentences. Longer hearing aid experience in a sub-set of participants (n = 19) was associated with recruitment of several areas outside of the core speech processing network in the right hemisphere, including the cerebellum, the precentral gyrus, and the cingulate cortex, but only when processing complex sentences. Overall, these results indicate that brain activation for language processing is affected by hearing loss as well as subsequent hearing aid use. Crucially, they show that these effects become apparent through investigation of complex but not simple sentences.

scholarly journals Alternative Pathways for Hearing Care May Address Disparities in Access

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amber Willink ◽  
Lama Assi ◽  
Carrie Nieman ◽  
Catherine McMahon ◽  
Frank R. Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Health Care Utilization ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Care Utilization ◽  
Medicare Beneficiaries ◽  
Hearing Aid Use ◽  
The U.S

Background/Objectives: Low-uptake of hearing aids among older adults has long dogged the hearing care system in the U.S. and other countries. The introduction of over-the-counter hearing aids is set to disrupt the predominantly high-cost, specialty clinic-based delivery model of hearing care with the hope of increasing accessibility and affordability of hearing care. However, the current model of hearing care delivery may not be reaching everyone with hearing loss who have yet to use hearing aids. In this study, we examine the group of people who do not use hearing aids and describe their characteristics and health care utilization patterns. We also consider what other healthcare pathways may be utilized to increase access to hearing treatment.Design: Cross-sectional, the 2017 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey.Setting: Non-institutionalized adults enrolled in Medicare, the U.S. public health insurance program for older adults (65 years and older) and those with qualifying medical conditions and disabilities.Participants: A nationally representative sample of 7,361 Medicare beneficiaries with self-reported trouble hearing and/or hearing aid use.Measurements: Survey-weighted proportions described the population characteristics and health care utilization of those with hearing loss by hearing aid use, and the characteristics of those with untreated hearing loss by health care service type utilized.Results: Women, racial/ethnic minorities, and low-income Medicare beneficiaries with self-reported hearing trouble were less likely to report using hearing aids than their peers. Among those who do not use hearing aids, the most commonly used health care services were obtaining prescription drugs (64%) and seeing a medical provider (50%). Only 20% did not access either service in the past year. These individuals were more likely to be young and to have higher educational attainment and income.Conclusion: Alternative models of care delivered through pharmacies and general medical practices may facilitate access to currently underserved populations as they are particularly high touch-points for Medicare beneficiaries with untreated hearing trouble. As care needs will vary across a spectrum of hearing loss, alternative models of hearing care should look to complement not substitute for existing access pathways to hearing care.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document