Hearing-aid counseling: comparison of single-session informational counseling with single-session performance-perceptual counseling.
OBJECTIVE
Hearing-aid counseling can improve outcome but programs are often too resource-intensive to be clinically practical. Here we examined the effectiveness of single-session informational counseling with single-session performance-perceptual counseling.


METHODS
Two forms of counseling were compared: informational counseling (IC) and performance-perceptual counseling (PPC). IC focused on discussing communication strategies and tips for hearing-aid use. PPC addressed the discrepancy between measured and perceived ability to understand speech. Outcomes were measured eight-to-ten weeks post-counseling using quantitative and qualitative measures: Hearing handicap inventory, abbreviated profile of hearing aid benefit, psychosocial impact of assistive devices scale (PIADS), international outcome inventory for hearing aids, and a semi-structured exit interview.


METHODS
Seventy-four hearing aid-users with symmetrical sensorineural hearing loss participated.


RESULTS
Scores on the hearing questionnaires showed no change following either form of counseling. Scores on the PIADS improved for participants as a whole, and the semi-structured interview revealed increased hearing-aid use, better understanding and acceptance of hearing loss, increased use of communication strategies, and improved ability to explain hearing difficulties to others.


CONCLUSIONS
A single session of hearing-aid counseling can improve hearing-aid use and satisfaction. Open-ended interview and/or quality of life measures are more sensitive to these benefits than hearing questionnaires.
National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, OR 97239, USA. gabrielle.saunders@va.gov
Gabrielle H
GH
Saunders
Anna
A
Forsline
D000368:Aged; D001299:Audiometry; D012048:Correction of Hearing Impairment / Q000523:psychology*; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006310:Hearing Aids / Q000523:psychology*; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D057566:Self Report