Unilateral hearing loss: benefits and satisfaction from the use of hearing aids

Abstract

A unilateral hearing loss is characterized by reduced hearing in one ear. The problems caused by sensory deprivation can be minimized with the use of hearing aids (HA). Aim:To analyze the correlation between the prescribed grain and the insertion gain difference and with the results obtained regarding the benefit and satisfaction with the use of hearing aids in unilateral hearing impaired patients. Materials and Methods:prospective study with 15 subjects, mean age of 41.6 years, of both genders, users of hearing aids effectively. We used the international Questionnaire results for hearing aids (international Outcome inventory for Hearing Aids -iOi-HA), measured with a probe microphone. Results:The mean values in the analyses of the iOi-HA per item were positive and higher than four points. in relation to the objective measures, the frequencies in which we obtained the gain values which were closer to the target were: 1k Hz, 2k Hz and 500 Hz, respectively. Conclusion:The satisfaction of individuals using hearing aid unilaterally is not completely correlated to the prescribed gain, because even if the target is not being reached in some frequencies, the individuals were pleased as to the use of their hearing aids. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2011;77(2):221-8. ORIgInAL ARTIcLE BJORL

O uso de questionário de autoavaliação na validação dos resultados do processo de seleção e adaptação de dispositivos eletrônicos de amplificação sonora individual

“…The literature shows different and greater results, for example in the study conducted in 2010, both groups (53.8% adults and 72.2% elderlies) reported that their recent research (2011), with unilateral hearing loss carriers, verified mean values which varied in 3.53 to 4.73 points. Once again, the results are similar to this study 19 . Analyzing Table 3 and Figure 2, considering question number 1 that refers to the time of use the HA, it was confirmed the mean score of 3.73, median score of 4 and that 40.9% of the sample assigned maxim score to this question, that is, they reported to use the HA more than eight hours a day.…”

“…The mean of answer for question 4 was 4.09 and the median was 4 point, and 45.5% of the sample reported to be very satisfied using the hearing aid, this result is a little inferior to the result found in a study developed in Rio Grande do Sul with adults (53.8%) and elderlies (52.8%) of a Hearing Health Program 20 and in another study developed in the state of São Paulo (60%) 19 . A study revealed much superior results, above 90% of the subjects satisfied.…”

“…In study conducted in Santa Maria, in 2010, 46.1% of the adults and 36.1% of the elderlies interviewed reported that after fitting, the hearing difficulties do not affect on their daily activities 20 . Oppositely, a study conducted in 2011, 80% had the same report 19 . It can be verified a variation of the evaluation in this aspect analyzed by the question considering the present and previous studies.…”

“…Analyzing Table 3 and Figure 2, considering question number 1 that refers to the time of use the HA, it was confirmed the mean score of 3.73, median score of 4 and that 40.9% of the sample assigned maxim score to this question, that is, they reported to use the HA more than eight hours a day. In a study of 2010, 84.6% adults and 75% elderlies reported to use the HA more than eight hours a day 20 and, other study of 2011 confirmed that 66.67% of the sample use the HA more than eight hours a day 19 . Nevertheless, a study in 2005 found maximum score in 44% users of HA monaural fitted and in 56% users of HA binaural fitted 9 .…”

Satisfação de usuários de aparelho de amplificação sonora individual atendidos em um centro auditivo

“…, and even though the loss was bilateral, but with adaptation unilateral 26 . In addition, it is noteworthy that for both groups observed satisfaction was high.…”