The aim of this study was to assess the effects of fitting a hearing aid by measuring the benefits derived from hearing aid use. Besides audiologic tests, a short version of the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly, and the EuroQol questionnaire were used in a prospective study. Ninety-eight first-time hearing aid users were interviewed prior to, and six months after, the fitting of their first hearing aids. The total HHIE-S score changed from 28.7 before, to 12.7 six months after, hearing aid fitting. Altogether 40%-60% of the users reported fewer social or emotional problems. There was a statistically significant positive change in the EQ-VAS score. According to the HHIE-S, hearing aids clearly alleviated hearing disability. The EQ-5D questionnaire was not sensitive enough for measuring the health-related quality of life of subjects with hearing impairment.

Hearing aids (HAs) are often left unused. Several investigations have shown that the use of HAs and the skills to use them can be significantly improved through counselling. Follow-up counselling is often restricted by increased cost. The objective of the study was to assess the cost and the effect of follow-up counselling on HA use. In a prospective pre-post design study, 98 first-time HA users were counselled 6 months after the fitting of a HA, and the use of and benefit from HAs were measured by means of an interview and the short form of the hearing handicap inventory for the elderly (HHIE-S) and the EuroQoL (EQ-5D) questionnaires. The results obtained before and 6 months after counselling were compared and the cost of counselling was calculated. After follow-up counselling, over half of the occasional users of a HA and as many as one third of the non-users became regular users. The number of regular users increased by 16 subjects, and non-users decreased from 29 subjects to 17. The HHIE-S results showed a significant positive change, but the EQ-5D results showed practically no change. The additional expense of follow-up counselling at home was approximately 8.8% (83 euro per visit) of the calculated 942 euro cost of fitting a HA. Bringing one unused HA into regular use required 508 euro. The results show that HA use and the consequent benefit can be significantly increased through counselling. The expense caused by follow-up counselling at home is highly acceptable in addition to the cost of fitting a HA.

The aim of this study was to find out how the use of hearing aids has been affected by the changes in hearing rehabilitation, hearing aids and society over the past 20 years. Seventy-six first-time hearing aid users were interviewed at their homes, and the results were compared with those of an earlier study made with the same method in 1983 in Finland involving both new and experienced hearing aid users. Hearing aid use and handling skills as well as satisfaction with the hearing aid were explored with interviews using the same questions in both studies. The number of first-time hearing aid users who did not use their hearing aids had decreased from 33.3% in 1983 to 5.3% at the present. Conversely, the number of regular users rose from 40.9 to 56.6%. The use of hearing aids was increased. The users were better able use their hearing aids and were more satisfied with them and the number of those who considered the counseling provided sufficient had also increased.

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