Outcomes of hearing aid fitting for older people with hearing impairment and their significant others

TLDR

Hearing impairment disrupts communication, affecting both patients and their significant others. The study assessed how hearing impairment and aural rehabilitation influence quality of life for patients and their significant others. Participants (93 patients, 78 significant others) completed QOL questionnaires before and three months after hearing aid fitting. Hearing impairment markedly reduces quality of life for patients and their significant others, but hearing aids significantly alleviate these negative effects.

Abstract

As hearing impairment affects communication, it seems intuitive that both the person with hearing impairment and the significant other (SO) will experience effects as a result of the impairment and subsequent rehabilitation. The present study examined the effect that hearing impairment and aural rehabilitation has on the person with hearing impairment and the SO's quality of life (QOL). Ninety-three people with hearing impairment completed a measure of hearing-specific QOL (Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly) and health-related QOL (Short Form-36), while 78 SOs completed a modified version of the Quantified Denver Scale and the Short Form-36, prior to and 3 months following hearing aid fitting. The results emphasize the significant impact of hearing impairment on both the person with hearing impairment and the SO. The results also demonstrate the effective role that hearing aids play in reducing such negative effects for both parties.