Predictability and reliability of hearing aid benefit measured using the PHAB.
This investigation explored the extent to which self-assessed hearing aid benefit measured by the Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (PHAB) could be predicted from adaptation to hearing loss and/or from communication difficulties reported without amplification. Adaptation to hearing loss was measured using 13 scales of the Communication Profile for the Hearing Impaired (CPHI). These were combined to produce three composite CPHI scores. Results from 58 experienced hearing aid wearers indicated that benefit was significantly related to magnitude of unaided difficulties for all seven PHAB subscales. In addition, one of the three composite CPHI scores contributed to benefit prediction for the two sound perception subscales of the PHAB. Test-retest reliability of PHAB subscale scores was evaluated for 28 subjects using correlations and difference distributions. Reliability was found to be consistent with previous studies but modest. Critical differences were large compared with the anticipated size of benefit differences due to, for example, different hearing aid prescriptions. It is concluded that the PHAB is best suited for group research: when used for individual subjects, the PHAB may not be sensitive enough to detect important differences between hearing aid conditions.
Cox
R M
RM
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Memphis, TN.
Rivera
I M
IM
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001307:Auditory Perception; D003142:Communication; D012048:Correction of Hearing Impairment; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006310:Hearing Aids / Q000592:standards*; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged