Non-compliance in Elderly Hearing-aid Users

Abstract

Objective (Background): Despite the scientific advancements, acceptance of hearing-aids remains poor in persons with hearing impairment in the elderly age group. The attitudinal issues play a significant role in their decision to use hearing aids or not. The purpose of this study was to understand the reasons for non-compliance and acceptance of hearing-loss and hearing-aids. Methods: In this questionnaire-based survey study, the Punjabi-language speaking elderly persons having hearing-impairment were identified into two groups, current-user and non-user of hearing-aids. A questionnaire prepared in the Punjabi language was administered, which consisted of twenty questions with a five-point rating scale. It yielded scores in five subscales that probed the social and emotional impact of hearing loss, denial, stigma, manual dexterity. The responses of the participants were then analysed. Result: A total of seventy-four questionnaires were completed. Average time of 9.63 minutes to complete one questionnaire. The mean age of respondents was 67.05 years. Of these, 45.95% were current users, and 54.05% were non-users of hearing aids. The subjects in both groups had a sensorineural hearing loss of moderate to a moderately-severe degree. Appropriate statistical analysis was performed. On average, the non-users had higher scores on the emotional impact of hearing loss, denial, and stigma subscales. Conclusions: The factors responsible for non-usage of hearing-aids by the persons with hearing-impairment were a stigma associated with the hearing aid usage; denial of hearing loss; and emotional impact of hearing loss. Both, social impact of hearing loss and poor manual dexterity were not limiting factors for non-compliance in hearing-aid users.

Keywords

• hearing-impairment
• hearing-aids
• non-compliance