Self-perception of the hearing-impaired elderly before and after hearing-aid fittings

• Published in: Geriatrics & gerontology international Vol. 15; no. 8; pp. 977 - 982
• Main Authors: Barbosa, Mirna Rossi, de Sousa Medeiros, Daniel, Rossi-Barbosa, Luiza Augusta Rosa, Silveira, Marise Fagundes, de Barros Lima Martins, Andrea Maria Eleutério, Caldeira, Antônio Prates
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-08-2015
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Audiometry, Pure-Tone; Brazil; Cohort Studies; Databases, Factual; Disability Evaluation; elderly; Female; hearing aid; Hearing Aids - psychology; Hearing Aids - utilization; Hearing loss; Hearing Loss - diagnosis; Hearing Loss - therapy; Humans; Male; Older people; Quality of Life; Self Concept; self-assessment; Brazil; hearing loss; hearing aid; self-assessment; elderly
• ISSN: 1444-1586; 1447-0594
• DOI: 10.1111/ggi.12376

Aim
To evaluate the impact of hearing aid (HA) fittings among elderly patients through the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE).
Methods
The present study was carried out with 125 hearing‐impaired individuals over aged 65 years in the northern region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The instrument used was the HHIE self‐assessment questionnaire. HHIE were completed before and after HA fittings. Data were analyzed using the non‐parametric Wilcoxon test and the McNemar χ2‐test.
Results
There were significant decreases in general, social and emotional handicap after HA use (P < 0.001). The percentage of patients with severe hearing handicap decreased from 45.6% to 8.8% with HA use. The greatest difficulty reported by respondents, both before and after HA use, was “hearing when someone whispers”.
Conclusions
Although HA use significantly improves the hearing handicap, some older adults still maintain social and emotional limitations. The HHIE instrument can be a great ally in helping professionals understand and rehabilitate the difficulties that remain after amplification. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 15: 977–982.