Level of User Satisfaction with Hearing Aids and Environment: The International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids

Abstract

Introduction The main function of hearing is to enable oral communication. Hearing loss impairs communication skills. Objective To evaluate the level of user satisfaction with hearing aids. Methods This is a cross-sectional group study comprising 108 subjects (56% men and 44% women). The average age of the subjects was 77 years. These subjects had been recently fitted with their hearing aids and showed sensorineural (90%) and mixed (10%) hearing loss as determined via the Questionnaire International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids Outcome Inventory (IOI-HA), which determined the benefit and satisfaction obtained by sound amplification. Results The hearing aids improved the quality of life of 52.78% of the patients, which was revealed by their high scores (mean = 27.3). The relationship of the user with the environment was significantly better (p < 0.001) than that of the user with the hearing aid. Conclusion IOI-HA is a simple and easy-to-use tool. Based on the results of this study, we can show a high degree of satisfaction with their hearing aids in the majority of the participants, which improved the quality of life.

Effectiveness of an online SUpport PRogramme (SUPR) for older hearing aid users: study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial

“…IOI-HA (items 2–7) and the equivalent IOI-AI (all seven items) will be used to assess the outcome of hearing aid rehabilitation and SUPR, respectively. 52 The Dutch version of IOI-HA has a good test–retest reliability and validity. 54 The first item of the IOI-AI determines the frequency of the use of the alternative intervention, that is, "How often have you used the learnt communication strategies on an average day in the last 2 weeks?"…”

“…Response options are ‘none’, ‘less than 1 hour a day’, ‘1–4 hours a day’, '4–8 hours a day’ and ‘more than 8 hours a day’. 52 Self-reported hearing aid use will additionally be measured by three questions from the use questionnaire developed by Laplante-Lévesque et al . 53 The latter questionnaire was translated into Dutch, using the forward-backward method.…”

Satisfação de usuários com aparelhos de amplificação sonora individual concedidos pelo Sistema Único de Saúde: revisão integrativa

“…Na vertente dos AASI adquiridos em serviços privados, uma pesquisa descreveu que indivíduos com melhor nível socioeconômico e apoio familiar tinham maior acesso a AASI comprados, trazendo à tona que o princípio de universalidade do SUS, ao se restringir por falta de investimentos compatíveis entre oferta e demanda, passou a conviver com um vasto mercado de serviços e empresas privadas (51) . Estudiosos apontaram que usuários que adquiriram seus AASI em serviços privados também demonstraram alto grau de satisfação (53) .…”