Age-related hearing difficulties. I. Hearing impairment, disability, and handicap--a controlled study.
The study compares the audiological profile of a group of first-time applicants for hearing aids, a group of re-applicants and a group of non-complainers, aged 70-75 years (n = 71). In spite of overlap in range, a significant difference in thresholds and discrimination was found. The lip-reading capacity was well preserved in the elderly, but showed a significant correlation to the general health condition. The audiological benefit of hearing-aids did not increase with early fitting. General satisfaction with life was independent of satisfaction with hearing; two thirds of the patients were satisfied with their aids and used them regularly. The rest were dissatisfied and used them less than once a week. The aids were most systematically used to watch TV. Pure-tone average and handicap scaling were compared as guidelines for hearing-aid fitting. The most powerful tool to identify those in need of hearing-aids was handicap scaling based on interviews concerning self-assessed hearing difficulties.
Salomon
G
G
Audiology Department, Gentofte University Hospital, Hellerup, Denmark.
Vesterager
V
V
Jagd
M
M
D000368:Aged; D001299:Audiometry; D001309:Auditory Threshold / Q000502:physiology; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D006310:Hearing Aids; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011304:Presbycusis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011788:Quality of Life