Factors Associated With Hearing Aid Outcomes Including Social Networks, Self-Reported Mental Health, and Service Delivery Models

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to identify and describe factors that influence hearing aid outcomes including social networks, self-reported mental health, and service delivery models. Method: A prospective cross-sectional online survey was sent to hearing aid users recruited through an online platform ( http://www.hearingtracker.com ) between October and November 2021. The survey contained questions on patient demographics, audiological variables, general health and social factors, and self-reported hearing aid outcomes using the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA). Regression models evaluated potential contributing factors of hearing aid outcomes on the IOI-HA. Results: Three hundred ninety-eight hearing aid users completed the survey with an average age of 66.6 ( SD = 13.0) years, of which 59.3% were male. Positive contributing factors of hearing aid outcomes (IOI-HA total score) were social network of people with hearing loss with hearing aids ( p < .010; Exp[B] = 0.03, 95% CI [0.01, 0.1]), self-reported mental health ( p < .05; Exp[B] = 0.6, 95% CI [0.01, 1.2]), work situation ( p < .001; Exp[B] = 1.9, 95% CI [0.7, 2.8]), quality of life ( p < .005; Exp[B] = 1.2, 95% CI [0.3, 1.1]), and self-reported hearing difficulty ( p < .02; Exp[B] = 0.8, 95% CI [0.2, 1.5]). Negative contributing factors of hearing aid outcomes included social networks of people with hearing loss without hearing aids ( p < .001; Exp[B] = −0.1, 95% CI [−0.2, −0.2]) and service delivery model of private or university clinic compared to big-box retailers ( p < .001; Exp[B] = −1.6, 95% CI [−2.7, −0.7]). Conclusions: Novel factors including social network of persons with hearing loss who use hearing aids, self-reported mental health, service delivery model, and work situation are significant contributors to hearing aid outcomes. These newly identified factors can inform public hearing health promotion and individualized audiological care to optimize hearing aid outcomes. Supplemental Material: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.24060486