A Qualitative Examination of User Perceptions of User-Driven and App-Controlled Hearing Technologies

Abstract

Purpose The aim of this study was to examine how hearing aid candidates perceive user-driven and app-controlled hearing aids and the effect these concepts have on traditional hearing health care delivery. Method Eleven adults (3 women, 8 men), recruited among 60 participants who had completed a research study evaluating an app-controlled, self-fitting hearing aid for 12 weeks, participated in a semistructured interview. Participants were over 55 years of age and had varied experience with hearing aids and smartphones. A template analysis was applied to data. Results Five themes emerged from the interviews: (a) prerequisites to the successful implementation of user-driven and app-controlled technologies, (b) benefits and advantages of user-driven and app-controlled technologies, (c) barriers to the acceptance and use of user-driven and app-controlled technologies, (d) beliefs that age is a significant factor in how well people will adopt new technology, and (e) consequences that flow from the adoption of user-driven and app-controlled technologies. Specifically, suggested benefits of the technology included fostering empowerment and providing cheaper and more discrete options, while challenges included lack of technological self-efficacy among older adults. Training and support were emphasized as necessary for successful adaptation and were suggested to be a focus of audiologic services in the future. Conclusion User perceptions of user-driven and app-controlled hearing technologies challenge the audiologic profession to provide adequate support and training for use of the technology and manufacturers to make the technology more accessible to older people.

The feasibility of an m-health educational programme (m2Hear) to improve outcomes in first-time hearing aid users

“…Older adults often perceive their technological skills as being far inferior to others, seen in other hearing-related studies (Ng et al. 2017 ; Keidser, Matthews, and Convery 2019 ), and more generally (Kuerbis et al. 2017 ; Vaportzis, Giatsi Clausen, and Gow 2017 ).…”

“…This was not an unexpected outcome as we have seen this in all our other studies on m-health interventions (Maidment, Ali, and Ferguson 2019;Gomez et al, accepted). Older adults often perceive their technological skills as being far inferior to others, seen in other hearing-related studies (Ng et al 2017;Keidser, Matthews, and Convery 2019), and more generally (Kuerbis et al 2017;Vaportzis, Giatsi Clausen, and Gow 2017). Whilst there are clearly differences in digital literacy between older and younger adults, often known as the "digital divide" (which can also include other reasons such as social and geographical), it is clear from recent research that a significant number of older adults are "tech-savvy", and have the necessary skills to operate m-health interventions.…”

Effectiveness of a Self-Fitting Tool for User-Driven Fitting of Hearing Aids

“…Advantageously, the trial time of using the smartphone app improved the various benefits (increased communication ability and motivation in quieter environments, increased self-sufficiency) and reduced the noticeable barrier (hearing loss stigma) of using an HA [41]. Additionally, participants in another study noticed increased communication ability in different acoustic spaces and increased self-sufficiency [22].…”

“…However, one disadvantage encountered by elderly users of HAs is that some are presented with difficulties in using the technology [34,36,41]. They expressed the need for additional support for audiologists during fittings to provide reassurance [41].…”

“…However, one disadvantage encountered by elderly users of HAs is that some are presented with difficulties in using the technology [34,36,41]. They expressed the need for additional support for audiologists during fittings to provide reassurance [41]. Likewise, Perry, et al [42] found that some different algorithms for self-fitting of the Ear Machine app may reduce speech intelligibility.…”