title: Group follow up proposal for elderly with hearing aids.
abstract: Implementing rehabilitation programs to hearing impaired adults is of great importance, mainly in the elderly population, and it is necessary to add them to the routine of outpatient care programs.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  to present a group care program for elderly patients who are fitted with hearing aids.
  
  
  METHODS
  to carry out a pilot study of clinical and experimental type, with the participation of 40 elderly users of hearing aids donated by the government, distributed within six groups, with maximum of eight participants jointly with their respective companions. Program consisted of three meetings every fifteen days, where information and education on the proper use hearing aids was transmitted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most of the patients participated actively in the meetings spontaneously giving their opinion or answering questions when so requested. All elderly had been informed as to the importance of accepting their auditory deficiency and on the need to be motivated towards using hearing aids. Moreover, listening to depositions of other elderly users seemed to facilitate understanding of their own difficulties and stimulated them in the process of getting used to the sound amplification.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Groups structure facilitated interaction among aged ones, helping them to clarify communication doubts and strategies and, consequently, it promoted their adaptation.
authors.affiliation: Doctorate Student in Human Communication Disorders at UNIFESP/EPM, Speech Therapist at the Integrated Center for Attention, Research and Learning in Hearing at UNIFESP/EPM. Electronic address: eliarapv@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: Eliara
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pinto Vieira
authors.affiliation: M.Sc, in Human Communication Disorders at Universidade Federal de São Paulo (São Paulo Federal University) UNIFESP/EPM, Speech Therapist at NIAPEA.
authors.forename: Elisiane Crestani
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: de Miranda
authors.affiliation: Doctorate Student in Human Communication Disorders at UNIFESP/EPM, Speech Therapist at NIAPEA.
authors.forename: Lucila Leal
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Calais
authors.affiliation: M.Sc. in Human Communication Disorders at UNIFES/EPM, Speech Therapist at the Integrated Center for Attention, Research and Learning in Hearing at UNIFESP/EPM, at the Hearing Disabled Center (CDA) at São Paulo Hospital and the Teuto Brasileiro Hearing Center.
authors.forename: Laura Maria
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Araújo de Carvalho
authors.affiliation: Professor at UNIFESP/EPM, Associate Professor at the Speech Therapy Department at UNIFESP/EPM.
authors.forename: Maria Cecília
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Martinelli I Ório
authors.affiliation: PhD in Human Communication Disorders at UNIFESP/EPM, Associate Professor at the Speech Therapy Department at UNIFESP/EPM; São Paulo Federal University (UNIFESP) - Integrated Center for Attention, Research and Learning in Hearing at UNIFESP/EPM (NIAPEA).
authors.forename: Alda Christina
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Lopes de Carvalho Borges
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006310:Hearing Aids; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires