title: Effect of hearing aids on hearing disability and quality of life in the elderly.
abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of fitting a hearing aid by measuring the benefits derived from hearing aid use. Besides audiologic tests, a short version of the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly, and the EuroQol questionnaire were used in a prospective study. Ninety-eight first-time hearing aid users were interviewed prior to, and six months after, the fitting of their first hearing aids. The total HHIE-S score changed from 28.7 before, to 12.7 six months after, hearing aid fitting. Altogether 40%-60% of the users reported fewer social or emotional problems. There was a statistically significant positive change in the EQ-VAS score. According to the HHIE-S, hearing aids clearly alleviated hearing disability. The EQ-5D questionnaire was not sensitive enough for measuring the health-related quality of life of subjects with hearing impairment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Oulu, Finland. arja.vuorialho@oulu.fi
authors.forename: Arja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vuorialho
authors.forename: Petri
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Karinen
authors.forename: Martti
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sorri
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006310:Hearing Aids / Q000523:psychology*; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome