International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids: Data From a Large Swedish Quality Register Database

Abstract

o r P e e r R e v i e w Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze a data-base of completed IOI-HA questionnaires obtained from over 100 000 clients fitted with new hearing aids in Sweden during the period 2012-2016. Mean IOI-HA total scores were correlated with degree of hearing loss, unilateral vs bilateral fitting, first-time vs return clients, gender, and variation among dispensing clinics. The correlations with expectations, service quality and technical functioning of the hearing aids were also analyzed. Method:Questionnaires containing the seven IOI-HA items as well as questions concerning some additional issues were mailed to clients 3-6 months after fitting of new hearing aids. The questionnaires were returned to and analyzed by an independent research institute.Results: More than 100 dispensing clinics nationwide take part in this project. A response rate of 52,6 % resulted in 106 631 data sets after excluding incomplete questionnaires. 46% of the responders were women, 54% men. The largest difference in mean score (0.66) was found for the IOI-HA item use between return clients and first time users. Women reported significantly higher (=better) scores for item impact on others (ioth) compared to men. The subgroup bilaterally fitted reported significantly higher scores for all seven items compared to unilaterally fitted. Experienced users produced higher scores on benefit and satisfaction items whereas first-time users gave higher scores for residual problems. No correlation was found between mean IOI-HA total score and average hearing threshold level (PTA). Mean IOI-HA total scores were found to correlate significantly with perceived service quality of the dispensing center and with the technical functionality of the hearing aids. Conclusions:When comparing mean IOI-HA total scores from different studies or between groups, differences with regard to hearing aid experience, gender, and unilateral vs bilateral fitting have to be considered. No correlation was found between mean IOI-HA total score and degree of hearing loss in terms of PTA. Thus, PTA is not a reliable predictor of benefit and satisfaction of hearing aid provision as represented by the IOI-HA items. Identification of a specific lower fence in PTA for hearing aid candidacy is therefore to be avoided. Large differences were found in mean IOI-HA total scores related to different dispensing centers. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 (Cox & Alexander, 1995), GHABP (Gatehouse, 1999). Some of these instruments had items which were more relevant in some countries or cultural environments than in others. These issues, as discussed by Arlinger (2000), obviously represented limitations when searching for outcome measures that could be used across all barriers of culture, age, and other population sub-groups. With these aspects in mind as well ...

Emerging Technologies, Market Segments, and MarkeTrak 10 Insights in Hearing Health Technology

“…48,49 Several studies have found that success and satisfaction with hearing aids were correlated with the perceived care from and satisfaction with their HCP during the fitting and counseling process. [50][51][52][53] These results indicate that, for those who have received HCP-fit hearing aids, the HCP plays an important role in getting the user to be successful and satisfied with their hearing aids. Lack of access to an HCP may affect success and satisfaction with OTC hearing aids, consistent with findings that those dissatisfied with self-fit hearing aids became more satisfied and successful with subsequent help from an HCP.…”

Factors Influencing the Hearing Aids Use and Satisfaction: A Review Study

“…Also, according to this research, there is a difference between men and women in some items. In other words, women have earned higher points in the "impact on others" item in the IOI-HA questionnaire [52].…”

“…The amount of hearing loss experienced by a person has a positive correlation with the amount of hearing aids use, and there is a correlation between the person's report of the hearing problem and the rate of hearing aids use. However, the lack of relationship between hearing loss (pure-tone-average) and satisfaction and hearing aids has also been reported, suggesting that hearing loss alone may not be a good predictor of the usefulness of hearing aids [51,52].…”

Personalizing the Fitting of Hearing Aids by Learning Contextual Preferences From Internet of Things Data

“…The audiogram defines the thresholds at which a sine wave tone can be perceived, in order to determine which frequencies should be amplified to compensate for the hearing loss. A mild hearing loss may involve a 20-40 dB decline across frequency bands, typically spanning from mid range (2-4 kHz) to high range (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10). However, this test measures only the sensitivity to an artificially produced tone, rather than the sounds that characterize a normal listening experience.…”

“…Studies analyzing outcome measures capturing the user satisfaction indicate that this is largely determined by two factors: (1) whether the user perceives an improved quality of life through use of the devices, and (2) to what degree they help overcome limitations when interacting with others around the user. The degree to which the user feels involved in the traditional clinical fitting process highly impacts the overall satisfaction [10]. Alternative models for selling hearing aids over the counter based on do-it-yourself audiometry tests may technically provide the same fitting as provided in a clinical setting [11].…”