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Avierinos RJ, Beukes E, Manchaiah V, Oosthuizen I, le Roux T, Swanepoel DW. Meaningful life changes following hearing aid use: a qualitative user perspective. Int J Audiol 2024:1-10. [PMID: 39002139 DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2024.2376043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore meaningful life changes due to hearing aid use in adult users. DESIGN A cross-sectional survey design was used with open-ended questions analysed using inductive qualitative content analysis. STUDY SAMPLE US-based adult hearing aid users (n = 653) from the Hearing Tracker website community and Lexie Hearing database. RESULTS Participants had a mean age of 65.4 years (13.6 SD), including 61.2% males, 38.3% females (0.5% other). Analysis of 2122 meaning units from responses identified two broad domains: 'meaningful benefits' (n = 1709; 80.5%) and 'remaining difficulties' (n = 413; 19.5%). The meaningful benefits domain included five categories (27 sub-categories): (a) psychosocial benefits, (b) improvements in hearing, (c) personal benefits, (d) hearing aid features and connectivity, and (e) situational benefits. Participants reported enhanced relationships and improved occupational functioning as key benefits. The remaining difficulties domain contained four categories (25 sub-categories): (a) hearing aid limitations, (b) hearing and communication issues, (c) situational difficulties, and (d) personal issues. Notable difficulties included hearing aid design issues and challenges in noisy environments. CONCLUSION Hearing aid users reported diverse benefits and persistent challenges related to device use, illustrating the complexity of their lived experiences. These findings can inform empathetic, effective rehabilitation strategies and user-centric hearing aid technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Jayné Avierinos
- Department of Speech-language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Virtual Hearing Lab, Collaborative initiative between University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA, Cambridge, UK
| | - Eldre Beukes
- Virtual Hearing Lab, Collaborative initiative between University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA, Cambridge, UK
- Vision and Hearing Sciences Research Group, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
| | - Vinaya Manchaiah
- Department of Speech-language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Virtual Hearing Lab, Collaborative initiative between University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
- UCHealth Hearing and Balance, University of Colorado Hospital, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Speech and Hearing, School of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Ilze Oosthuizen
- Department of Speech-language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Virtual Hearing Lab, Collaborative initiative between University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA, Cambridge, UK
| | - Talita le Roux
- Department of Speech-language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - De Wet Swanepoel
- Department of Speech-language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Virtual Hearing Lab, Collaborative initiative between University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
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Desai N, Beukes EW, Manchaiah V, Mahomed-Asmail F, Swanepoel DW. Consumer Perspectives on Improving Hearing Aids: A Qualitative Study. Am J Audiol 2024:1-12. [PMID: 38768085 DOI: 10.1044/2024_aja-23-00245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Hearing aids play a pivotal role in mitigating the impact of hearing loss, yet their adoption and consistent usage remains suboptimal. Understanding the hearing aid needs of individuals with hearing loss is important to support uptake, use, and outcomes. The current study describes users' perspectives on how hearing aids can be improved. METHOD A cross-sectional, qualitative, content analysis design was used for an open-ended question from an online survey, exploring user perspectives on hearing aid improvements. Participants were adult hearing aid users in the United States, surveyed from the HearingTracker and Lexie Hearing user database. RESULTS A total of 628 participants (Mage = 66 years) were surveyed. The majority of participants used bilateral, behind-the-ear hearing aids that were obtained either through a hearing health care professional or online. Three domains, highlighting areas for hearing aid improvement, were identified. (a) The hearing aid features domain described user issues surrounding physical appearance and fit, general features, streaming, battery functionality, adjustments, smartphone applications, and hearing aid-related accessories. There was dissatisfaction with aesthetics and functionality, with a notable desire for improvements in physical appearance and fit (n = 161), and features to improve self-efficacy. (b) The sound quality domain described user issues surrounding sound perception and difficult situations. Participants highlighted unmet needs for clarity, especially in noisy environments (n = 143). (c) The service-delivery domain described user issues surrounding audiology services and general satisfaction, with criticisms centered on the high cost of hearing aids (n = 193) and the credibility of hearing health care professionals. CONCLUSIONS Hearing aid users appreciated current technological advances but expressed a need for improvements, to better align devices with their requirements. Key areas included physical aesthetics, user control over device adjustments, sound clarity, cost accessibility, and trust between the user and hearing health care professional. Future designs should focus on features enhancing user autonomy and self-efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabeelah Desai
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Eldré W Beukes
- Virtual Hearing Lab, Collaborative initiative between University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, and University of Pretoria, South Africa
- Vision and Hearing Sciences Research Group, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Vinaya Manchaiah
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, South Africa
- Virtual Hearing Lab, Collaborative initiative between University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, and University of Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora
- UCHealth Hearing and Balance, University of Colorado Hospital, Aurora
- Department of Speech and Hearing, School of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, India
| | - Faheema Mahomed-Asmail
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, South Africa
- Virtual Hearing Lab, Collaborative initiative between University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, and University of Pretoria, South Africa
| | - De Wet Swanepoel
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, South Africa
- Virtual Hearing Lab, Collaborative initiative between University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, and University of Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora
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Saleh HK, Folkeard P, Liao S, Scollie S. Development and initial evaluation of the Hearing Aid Attribute and Feature Importance Evaluation (HAFIE) questionnaire. Int J Audiol 2023:1-10. [PMID: 37712694 DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2023.2253498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To develop and validate a novel questionnaire aimed at providing a structured, evidence-based methodology for hearing aid recommendation and selection using self-reported importance ratings for different modern hearing aid features. DESIGN The initial questionnaire items were created through a concept mapping approach that involved input from hearing aid users. Hearing care professional focus groups (n = 10) were conducted to assess questionnaire content and design, and to guide modifications. Validation of this initial 34-item version of the questionnaire was conducted using an anonymous online survey tool (Qualtrics). Exploratory factor analysis was used to assess the factor structure of the dataset, using principal axis factoring. Questionnaire reliability and inter-item correlation were assessed. Items with low factor loading and high cross-loading were removed. STUDY SAMPLE Two hundred and eighteen adult participants with a self-reported hearing loss (median age = 48 years, range = 18-95 years) completed the questionnaire. RESULTS Analysis and item removal resulted in a 28-item questionnaire. Three factors were identified, dividing the hearing aid features into the subscales: "Advanced connectivity & streaming", "Physical attributes & usability", and "Sound quality & intelligibility". CONCLUSION This study has resulted in a patient-oriented questionnaire that allows clinicians to gather patient input in a structured manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasan K Saleh
- Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, Western University, London, Canada
- National Centre for Audiology, Western University, London, Canada
| | - Paula Folkeard
- National Centre for Audiology, Western University, London, Canada
| | - Selina Liao
- Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, Canada
| | - Susan Scollie
- National Centre for Audiology, Western University, London, Canada
- Communication Sciences and Disorders, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, Canada
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Heselton T, Bennett RJ, Manchaiah V, Swanepoel DW. Online Reviews of Hearing Aid Acquisition and Use: A Qualitative Thematic Analysis. Am J Audiol 2022; 31:284-298. [PMID: 35286155 DOI: 10.1044/2021_aja-21-00172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Online reviews have become increasingly common for consumers to share their experiences about products and to assist potential consumers with decision making. The current study was aimed to understand the hearing aid user experience from online consumer reviews using qualitative analysis. METHOD The study used a qualitative thematic analysis to analyze open text responses from consumers leaving hearing aid reviews on the http://www.HearingTracker.com website. One thousand three hundred seventy-eight online consumer hearing aid reviews (open-text responses) were extracted and analyzed. RESULTS Three domains emerged within the data set, containing 11 themes and 136 subthemes. Domain one (Clinical Processes) contained two themes: Hearing Assessment and Hearing Aid Acquisition. Domain two (The Device) contained five themes: Function, Performance, Physical, Device Management, and Maintenance. Domain three (The Person) contained four themes: Satisfaction, Quality of Life, Personal Adjustment, and Knowledge. The themes gave an understanding that there were a contribution of factors that formed part of a consumers hearing aid user experience. CONCLUSIONS Hearing aid users described a range of positive, negative, and neutral descriptions online about their hearing aid user experience and gave advice to fellow hearing aid users helping clinicians improve their hearing aid fitting skills in practice. These findings have implications to future product development as well as service delivery model in terms of developing strategies for fostering patient-centered audiological practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tayla Heselton
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
- Virtual Hearing Lab, Collaborative initiative between Lamar University and University of Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Rebecca J. Bennett
- Ear Sciences Centre, School of Surgery, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia
- Ear Science Institute Australia, Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Vinaya Manchaiah
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
- Virtual Hearing Lab, Collaborative initiative between Lamar University and University of Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
- Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX
- Department of Speech and Hearing, School of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal University, India
| | - De Wet Swanepoel
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
- Virtual Hearing Lab, Collaborative initiative between Lamar University and University of Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
- Ear Science Institute Australia, Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia
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