Group follow up proposal for elderly with hearing aids.
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.
Pinto Vieira
Eliara
E
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.
de Miranda
Elisiane Crestani
EC
M.Sc, in Human Communication Disorders at Universidade Federal de São Paulo (São Paulo Federal University) UNIFESP/EPM, Speech Therapist at NIAPEA.
Calais
Lucila Leal
LL
Doctorate Student in Human Communication Disorders at UNIFESP/EPM, Speech Therapist at NIAPEA.
Araújo de Carvalho
Laura Maria
LM
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.
Martinelli I Ório
Maria Cecília
MC
Professor at UNIFESP/EPM, Associate Professor at the Speech Therapy Department at UNIFESP/EPM.
Lopes de Carvalho Borges
Alda Christina
AC
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).
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