Objective and Subjective Outcomes in Patients with Hearing Aids: A Cross-Sectional, Comparative, Associational Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Xunyi Wang ◽  
Yun Zheng ◽  
Gang Li ◽  
Jingzhe Lu ◽  
Yan Yin

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Outcome assessment for hearing aids (HAs) is an essential part of HA fitting and validation. There is no consensus about the best or standard approach for evaluating HA outcomes. And, the relationship between objective and subjective measures is ambiguous. This study aimed to determine the outcomes after HA fitting, explore correlations between subjective benefit and acoustic gain improvement as well as objective audiologic tests, and investigate several variables that may improve patients’ perceived benefits. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Eighty adults with bilateral symmetrical hearing loss using HAs for at least 1 month were included in this study. All subjects completed the pure tone average (PTA) threshold and word recognition score (WRS) tests in unaided and aided conditions. We also administered the Chinese version of International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA), to measure participants’ subjective benefits. Objective HA benefit (acoustic gain improvement) was defined as the difference in thresholds or scores between aided and unaided conditions indicated with ΔPTA and ΔWRS. Thus, patients’ baseline hearing levels were taken into account. Correlations were assessed among objective audiologic tests (PTA and WRS), acoustic gain improvement (ΔPTA and ΔWRS), multiple potential factors, and IOI-HA overall scores. <b><i>Results:</i></b> PTA decreased significantly, but WRS did not increase when aided listening was compared to unaided listening. Negative correlations between PTAs and IOI-HA scores were significant but weak (<i>r</i> = −0.370 and <i>r</i> = −0.393, all <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05). Significant weak positive correlations were found between WRSs and IOI-HA (<i>r</i> = 0.386 and <i>r</i> = 0.309, all <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05). However, there was no correlation among ΔPTA, ΔWRS, and IOI-HA (<i>r</i> = 0.056 and <i>r</i> = −0.086, all <i>p</i> &#x3e; 0.05). Moreover, 2 nonaudiological factors (age and daily use time) were significantly correlated with IOI-HA (<i>r</i> = −0.269 and <i>r</i> = 0.242, all <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Correlations among objective audiologic tests, acoustic gain, and subjective patient-reported outcomes were weak or absent. Subjective questionnaires and objective tests do not reflect the same hearing capability. Therefore, it is advisable to evaluate both objective and subjective outcomes when analyzing HA benefits on a regular basis and pay equal attention to nonaudiological and audiological factors.

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 215-223
Author(s):  
James R. Dornhoffer ◽  
Ted A. Meyer ◽  
Judy R. Dubno ◽  
Theodore R. McRackan

Purpose: To determine the contributions to hearing aid benefit of patient-reported outcomes and audiologic measures. Methods: Independent review was conducted on audiologic and patient-reported outcomes of hearing aid benefit collected in the course of a middle ear implant FDA clinical trial. Unaided and aided data were extracted from the preoperative profiles of 95 experienced hearing aid users, and the relationships between a patient-reported outcome and audiologic measures were assessed. The following data were extracted: unaided and aided pure-tone or warble-tone thresholds (PTA), word recognition in quiet (NU-6), Speech Perception in Noise (low-/high-context SPIN), and patient-reported benefit (Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit, APHAB). Hearing aid benefit was defined as the difference in thresholds or scores between unaided and aided conditions, as measured in the sound field. Correlations were computed among audiologic measures and global APHAB and subscale scores of hearing aid benefit. Results: Significant improvements in all audiologic measures and APHAB scores were observed comparing unaided to aided listening (all p < 0.001). However, correlations between audiologic and patient-reported measures of aided performance or hearing aid benefit were low-to-weak or absent. No significant correlations were found between aided audiologic measures (PTA, NU-6, SPIN) and any aided APHAB scores (all p > 0.0125), and significant relationships for hearing aid benefit were absent with only few exceptions. Hearing aid benefit defined by global APHAB using NU-6 and SPIN scores showed significant but weak positive correlations (r = 0.37, p < 0.001; r = 0.28, p = 0.005, respectively) and ease of communication APHAB subscale scores (r = 0.32, p < 0.001; r = 0.33, p = 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Hearing aid benefit assessed with audiologic measures were poor predictors of patient-reported benefit. Thus, patient-reported outcomes may provide a unique assessment of patient-perceived benefit from hearing aids, which can be used to direct hearing aid programming, training, or recommendations of alternative hearing services.


1986 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 362-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna M. Risberg ◽  
Robyn M. Cox

A custom in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid fitting was compared to two over-the-ear (OTE) hearing aid fittings for each of 9 subjects with mild to moderately severe hearing losses. Speech intelligibility via the three instruments was compared using the Speech Intelligibility Rating (SIR) test. The relationship between functional gain and coupler gain was compared for the ITE and the higher rated OTE instruments. The difference in input received at the microphone locations of the two types of hearing aids was measured for 10 different subjects and compared to the functional gain data. It was concluded that (a) for persons with mild to moderately severe hearing losses, appropriately adjusted custom ITE fittings typically yield speech intelligibility that is equal to the better OTE fitting identified in a comparative evaluation; and (b) gain prescriptions for ITE hearing aids should be adjusted to account for the high-frequency emphasis associated with in-the-concha microphone placement.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
April N Naegeli ◽  
Theresa Hunter ◽  
Yan Dong ◽  
Ben Hoskin ◽  
Chloe Middleton-Dalby ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Understanding ulcerative colitis (UC) disease activity assessed via the full, modified or partial Mayo Score may help clinicians apply results from clinical trials to practice and facilitate interpretation of recent and older studies. Methods Mayo Score variables were assessed in a cross-sectional study of 2608 UC patients. Results Permutations of Mayo Scores were highly correlated, and models predicting the omitted variable from each permutation demonstrated significant agreement between predicted and observed values. Conclusions Partial/modified Mayo Scores may be used to predict endoscopic and Physician's Global Assessment scores, and serve as proxies for the full Mayo Score in clinical practice/trials.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Ángel Amor-García ◽  
Sara Ibáñez-García ◽  
Xandra García-González ◽  
Teresa Mombiela ◽  
Cristina Villanueva-Bueno ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) have progressive and disabling symptoms, as well as a burden of treatments and a difficult clinical evaluation that make health-related quality of life a particularly relevant endpoint in this disease. The objective of the study was to evaluate patient-reported outcomes of patients receiving specific treatment for PH in a tertiary hospital using a specific questionnaire (Cambridge Pulmonary Hypertension Outcome Review-CAMPHOR) in the pharmacy consultation. Methods A cross-sectional, observational, descriptive study was conducted. It included all patients receiving specific treatment for PH in a tertiary hospital in Madrid, Spain. The inclusion period comprised between August to December 2019. CAMPHOR questionnaires containing three domains: symptoms, activities and quality of life were completed by the patients at the pharmacy consultation. Demographic and clinical variables, including WHO Functional Class (WHO FC), PH-specific tests and hemodynamic parameters, were recorded. Non-parametric analyses to assess relations between variables and CAMPHOR domains were performed. Results Thirty-six patients consented to participate in the study and completed the questionnaire. Median scores for symptoms, activities, and quality of life domains were 5.5 (2.5–10), 8.0 (4.5–10.5) and 3.5 (1–7.5), respectively. Statistically significant differences were found in the three domains when comparing by WHO FC, in the activities domain for 6-m walking test and in the quality of life domain for patients who had emergency visits or hospitalizations in the last year. Conclusions The CAMPHOR questionnaire could be useful as a complementary test to achieve an integrated evaluation of PH patients, who could complete it easily during their routine pharmacy visits.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 11574-11574
Author(s):  
VIKAS GARG ◽  
Sameer Rastogi ◽  
Adarsh Barwad ◽  
Rambha Panday ◽  
Sandeep Kumar Bhoriwal ◽  
...  

11574 Background: Desmoid type fibromatosis (DTF) is a rare benign neoplasm with infiltrative growth and high local recurrences. Due to long disease course, unpredictable growth pattern, and low mortality, using only survival outcomes may be inappropriate. In this study we assessed the impact of DTF on health related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study done in patients with DTF. The study participants were asked to fill the EORTC QLQ-C30, GAD-7 and PHQ- 9 q uestionnaires to assess HRQoL, anxiety and depression . Outcomes were also compared with healthy controls. Results: 204 subjects (102 DTF patients and 102 healthy controls) were recruited. Study parameters have been summarized in Table. Appendicular skeleton (limbs + girdle) was most commonly involved in 59 % patients and abdominal wall or mesentery was involved in 22.5 %. Patients have received median of 2 lines of therapy. 54 % patients were currently on sorafenib and 41 % were under active surveillance. Mean global health status in DTF patient 65.58 ± 22.64, was significantly lower than healthy controls. Similarly, DTF patients scored low on all functional scales except cognitive functioning. Symptom scale showed significantly higher symptom burden of fatigue, pain, insomnia and financial difficulties. Anxiety & depression was observed in 39.22 % and 50 % of DTF patients respectively. DTF patients had higher rates of mild, moderate and severe anxiety and depression compared to healthy controls. No difference was observed based on site of disease. Conclusions: DTF patients have significant symptom burden, poor functioning, and heightened anxiety and depression. Patient reported outcomes should be routinely used to assess treatment efficacy in DTF patients.[Table: see text]


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 205521731877789 ◽  
Author(s):  
Devon S Conway ◽  
Maria Cecilia Vieira ◽  
Nicolas R Thompson ◽  
Kaila N Parker ◽  
Xiangyi Meng ◽  
...  

Background Adherence to multiple sclerosis (MS) disease-modifying therapy (DMT) is commonly assessed through patient reporting, but patient-reported adherence is rarely studied. Objective To determine rates of DMT adherence reported from patient to clinician, reasons for nonadherence, and relationships between adherence and outcomes. Methods We identified relapsing–remitting MS patients on DMT for ≥3 months. DMT adherence was defined as taking ≥80% of doses. Linear and logistic regression models were created used to determine the association of baseline adherence with several patient reported outcomes and the timed 25-foot walk at 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years after the index visit. Results The analysis included 1148 patients, of whom 501 had data at 6 months, 544 at 1 year, 331 at 2 years, and 247 at 3 years. Baseline adherence was 94.9% and overall adherence was 93.1%. Forgetting was the most common reason for missed doses. In the adjusted models, adherence was not associated with the outcomes. Conclusions Higher than expected adherence and a lack of association between adherence and outcomes suggests patient reported adherence may not be reliable. Further research is needed to clarify the relationship between patient-reported adherence and relapses or new lesion formation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Aso Sabir Saeed ◽  
◽  
Osama MohammadAmin Shukr

Background: Several studies have demonstrated an association between obesity and migraine. It’s still unclear whether migraine is the cause or it's the result of obesity. Objective: We investigated the prevalence of migraine among obese and non-obese individuals and analyzed the relationship between migraine prevalence and obesity. Patients and Methods: This is cross-sectional observational study was carried out at the neurology outpatients’ department of the Rizgary Teaching Hospital in Erbil, Iraq, from July 1st , 2018 to September 30, 2019. We interviewed and examined 300 persons, both obese (n=154) and non-obese (n=146), and of both gender. All of them were adults (>18 years old). Each person's weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference were measured.The diagnosis of migraine was made according to the International Headache Society’s criteria. Obesity was present if the individual’s BMI is ≥30 and/or waist-to-hip ratio is >0.9 in females and >1.0 in males. Results: Out of the 300 persons, 14 males (8.5%) got migraines while migraine was found in 37 females (27.4%), irrespective of their weight. Out of the 300 persons, the prevalence of migraine among obese individuals was 21.4% (n=33) and while in non-obese individuals was 12.3% (n=18). There was a statistically significant difference between the groups (p-value=0.045). The overall prevalence of migraine was 16.9% of the persons interviewed. Conclusion: The results showed that migraine is more prevalent among obese persons than non-obese persons and the difference was statistically significant. Keywords: Migraine, obesity, BMI, headache


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