Factors influencing making a choice and accessing a hearing aid among elders with hearing disability: mixed methods

Abstract

Purpose Hearing aid (HA) using is an option for enhancing the sound transmission. It effectively improves hearing ability during communication. In Thailand, two-third of hearing impaired persons were elders, while the utilization of an HA was low. This study aims to explore how the decision was made on the use of HA among the hearing impaired elderly. Design/methodology/approach Mixed-methods sequential explanatory design was used by starting with a retrospective study to identify the prevalence of HA use and influencing factors including demographic and clinical data. Total, 199 elders with moderate to severe hearing impairment were enrolled. Qualitative data collection for thematic analysis was conducted by interviewing 28 participants to reveal elders’ subjective reasoning. Findings It was found that 25.63% of elders used an HA, whereas age, types of health insurance and disability registration were significant influencing factors. Six themes of subjective reasoning emerged including social activities, disability perspective, social support, medical and personnel, rights and accessibility and benefit of HA, which determined the elders’ decisions on HA use. Originality/value This study broadened insights of the elders’ decision process on HA use, which was mutually made by both health-care professional and care recipients. The elders themselves would make the final decision. Not only objective indications but also subjective reasoning of users played significant roles on HA acquisition. To enhance HA use among hearing impaired elders, patient engagement in decision-making was crucial while hearing counselling and elimination of reimbursement barriers became essential.

Attitudes towards hearing difficulties, health-seeking behaviour, and hearing aid use among older adults in Thailand

“…Problems related to the initial fitting of hearing aids, including ear discomfort and dizziness, have discouraged hearing aid users from continuing to wear the device. Many of these could be resolved by accessing audiological counselling, care and rehabilitation ( 26 ). First time visits should also consist of training for practical usage, for instance insertion, removal, functions, and maintenance of hearing aids.…”

Prediction of pure tone thresholds using the speech reception threshold and age in elderly individuals with hearing loss

“…In low-and middle-income countries, over 85% of individuals who need hearing aids lack access to the same [7]. In southern Thailand, it was revealed that nearly 50% of individuals with hearing disabilities lived more than 100 km away from a main audiology and hearing aid center, Songklanagarind Hospital, which required at least 2 h of driving [8].…”