Hearing aids fitting process in users that are seen in a federal public institution: part I--results and implications with the amplification device.
Hearing aid fitting involves numerous issues that must be investigated - from the device supply all the way to results achieved with it in order to improve its results in planning Auditory Health Care.


OBJECTIVE
to verify difficulties related to device use, batteries and ear molds handling, the very characteristics of sound amplification, and to discuss factors that impact audiological rehabilitation in this group of patients.


METHODS
31 individuals, from 12 to 77 years age, with bilaterally symmetrical hearing losses, sensorineural or mixed, from moderate to moderately severe degrees and hearing aid users of digital or hybrid hearing aids. We carried out an interview approaching topics related to device use, battery handling, ear molds and hearing aids, as well as sound amplification characteristics.


RESULTS
12.90%, 58.06% and 67.74% of the interviewees presented difficulties related to battery, ear molds or capsules and amplification characteristics, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
the majority of the individuals presented some kind of complaint related to hearing aids characteristics, and difficulties related to users' expectations, communication skills and monetary cost and the Municipal Health Care Network, which all interfered in the audiological rehabilitation.
de Freitas
Carine Dias
CD
M.Sc. in Human Communications Disorders - Federal University of Santa Maria - UFSM/RS. Speech and Hearing Therapist. Substitute Professor - Speech and Hearing Therapy Course - Federal University of Santa Maria - UFSM/RS. Electronic address: carine_freitas@yahoo.com.br.
Julio Costa
Maristela
M
PhD in Human Communications Disorders /Speech and Hearing Therapy - Federal University of São Paulo - UNIFESP/SP. Speech and Hearing Therapist. Adjunct Professor - Speech and Hearing Therapy Course - Federal Dissertation entitled: "Resultados e implicações do processo de adaptação de próteses auditivas em usuários atendidos em uma instituição pública federal" apresentada ao Curso de Mestrado do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Distúrbios da Comunicação Humana, Área de Concentração em Audiologia, da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM, RS), como requisito parcial para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Distúrbios da Comunicação Humana, 2006. Apresentado como Atualização no XXI Encontro Internacional de Audiologia, realizado em Bauru - SP, 2006.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006310:Hearing Aids / Q000523:psychology; D006312:Hearing Loss, Bilateral / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D017755:Prosthesis Fitting / Q000523:psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index