Effectiveness of a program of auditory prothetization in elders through the application of HHIE-S questionnaire

Abstract

Introduction: The elders' hearing loss has been studied not only by the biological context, but also by the negative impact on the life quality of this population. The auditory prothetization is a basic part in the auditory rehabilitation. Objective: To evaluate the subjective impact of an auditory rehabilitation program in elders through the application of the HHIE-S questionnaire before and 30 days after rehabilitating therapy. Method: 47 elder individuals were evaluated and 25 were male. The HHIE-S questionnaire was applied before and 30 days after auditory rehabilitation therapy. Result: The mean age of the sample was 75 years of age. 57% of the sample presented moderate hearing loss. The average score obtained passed from 24.2 to 1.8 points after the phonoaudiologic therapy period (p<0.001). Conclusion: The average scores were significantly reduced after 30 days of auditory prothetization and phonoaudiologic therapy. However, such results may be overestimated. The evaluation in 6 or 12 months may more faithfully measure the impact of a rehabilitating program in the elder's population life quality subjective perception.

Keywords

• Presbyacusis
• Elder's health
• Hearing loss
• Hearing impaired rehabilitation