Determining the Importance of Fundamental Hearing Aid Attributes

Abstract

The results emphasize the high importance of attributes related to speech perception. Speech discrimination in noise was the most important but also the most frequent source of negative statements. This attribute will be the outstanding parameter of future developments. Appropriate handling becomes an important factor for elderly subjects. However, because of the large interindividual scatter of data, the preferences of different hearing aid users were hardly predictable, giving evidence of multifactorial influences.

An investigation of factors that influence help-seeking for hearing impairment in older adults

“…In comparison to the cohort of non-consulters and consulters, who obtained average self-effi cacy scores of 87% and 86% for basic handling, respectively, the cohort of successful hearing aid owners, on average, reported 98% certainty that they could perform the basic functions of a hearing aid. This fi nding is supported by research conducted by Meister et al (2002a;2002b), wherein it was highlighted that older adults, in particular, placed great importance on their ability to handle a hearing aid. Given the retrospective nature of this study, we cannot be certain if this cohort of participants had high levels of hearing aid self-effi cacy prior to obtaining hearing aids; or, if their high levels of self-effi cacy refl ect their successful outcome with hearing aids.…”

Finite element analysis of the effects of a floating mass transducer on the performance of a middle ear implant

“…In recent years, ongoing advances in sophisticated digital signal-processing technology have made state-of-the-art digital signal processing hearing aids available to these patients. However, some of the limitations of conventional amplification still persist, such as sound distortion, limited amplification, noise and ringing, discomfort, and poor cosmetic appearance [1,2]. Alternative methods to conventional hearing aids have been developed to overcome those limitations.…”

Untersuchung von Faktoren bei der Erstversorgung mit Hörgeräten

“…Dies wird auch die durch die Antworten nach Gründen gegen eine Versorgung gestützt. Während das äußere Erscheinungsbild der Hörgerä-te offensichtlich für noch unversorgte Patienten ein wichtiger Faktor ist, scheint dieses Merkmal für bereits versorgte eine geringere Rolle zu spielen [16].…”

“…Auch die Aussage, dass man sich mit Hör-gerät insgesamt besser fühlt -also die Lebensqualität gesteigert wird -erhält Zustimmung. Kritisch zu sehen sind die hohen Erwartungen an das Hörgerät in stör-geräuschbehafteten Situationen, da diese oft mit Problemen verbunden sind und häufig zu Unzufriedenheit mit den Hörge-räten führen [1,2,16]. Auch Schum [18] sieht die Gefahr, dass Personen ohne Hör-geräteerfahrung die Limitationen der Hör-hilfen in solchen Situationen unterschät-zen.…”