This is the final report of the American Academy of Audiology Task Force on the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) Benefits of Amplification in Adults. A systematic review with meta-analysis examined evidence pertaining to the use of hearing aids for improving HRQoL for adults with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Relevant search strings applied to the CENTRAL, CINAHL, Cochrane Reviews, ComDisDome, EBMR, and PubMed databases identified randomized controlled trial, quasi-experimental, and nonexperimental pre-post test designed studies. Sixteen studies met a priori criteria for inclusion in this review. A random-effects meta-analysis showed differential results for generic versus disease-specific HRQoL measures for within- and between-subject designs. Although generic measures used for within-subject designs did not demonstrate HRQoL benefits from hearing aids, mean effect sizes and confidence intervals for within-subject designs and disease-specific instruments suggested that hearing aids have a small-to-medium impact on HRQoL. Further, the between-subject studies supported at least a small effect for generic measures, and when measured by disease-specific instruments, hearing aids had medium-to-large effects on adults' HRQoL. This review concludes that hearing aids improve adults' HRQoL by reducing psychological, social, and emotional effects of SNHL. Future studies should include control groups using randomized controlled trials.

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Documentation of the efficacy of audiologic rehabilitation for adults with hearing impairment has received increased attention in the past decade. Audiologic rehabilitation efficacy research has focused on five areas: hearing aid benefit, hearing aid orientation, perceptual training, listening training, and counseling-based programs. 1 In a number of studies, it has been demonstrated that hearing aid use can significantly reduce the self-perceived handicaps that accompany hearing loss. 2 There is also evidence from efficacy research that participation in hearing aid orientation programs (HOPs) and other adult audiologic rehabilitation (AR) support programs can be beneficial to hearing aid users. 2,3-8The focus of this issue of Seminars in Hearing has been on how to implement practical, relevant programs for new hearing aid users. The purpose of this article will be to explore methods for determining the effectiveness of hearing aid orientation and other aftercare programs. Our primary goal is to provide clinicians with a means of evaluating the success of orientation programs for new hearing aid users and their family and friends.There are several reasons why it is important to determine the effectiveness of hearing aid orientation programs. In the broad sense, information regarding the costs and outcomes of various clinical practices is needed in order to determine efficient allo-ABSTRACT As audiologists increasingly incorporate structured group orientations and other forms of support programs into their dispensing practices, it will be essential to determine the effectiveness of the programs in meeting the needs of new hearing aid users. The focus in this article will be on the individual practitioner's determination of audiologic rehabilitation support program effectiveness. We propose seven methods of evaluating the effectiveness of hearing aid orientation and other support programs for adults with hearing loss. These methods include patient-satisfaction surveys, handicap inventories, knowledge area tests, observations by professional staff, attendance patterns, communication performance, and measures of hearing aid benefit, use, and satisfaction. The functions, advantages, and disadvantages of each method of evaluation will be explored.

This is an investigation of the accuracy with which the 40-Hz evoked potential (EP) threshold can be used to predict low frequency behavioral audiometric thresholds. The EP thresholds for 500 and 1000 Hz tone bursts were compared with behavioral thresholds obtained from 40 hearing-impaired ears. Correlation coefficients (between EP and behavioral thresholds) of 0.79 and 0.87 were obtained for the 500 and 1000 Hz signals, respectively. Confidence intervals for EP estimates of behavioral thresholds were -10 to +30 dB for 500 Hz signals and -20 to +20 for 1000 Hz. Problems associated with the use of the EP for predicting behavioral thresholds are discussed. Address reprint requests to