title: An investigation of factors that influence help-seeking for hearing impairment in older adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the influence of audiological and non-audiological factors on help-seeking for hearing impairment (HI) in older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective research design was employed. Participants completed 14 measures, after which two multivariate, multinomial logistic regression models were fitted to the data to determine which factors were associated with consultation for HI and hearing aid uptake.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three-hundred-and-seven individuals who were 60 years or older and who presented with a unilateral or bilateral HI participated in the study. Non-hearing aid owners were assigned to a non-consulter group (n=55) or a consulter group (n=92); hearing aid owners were assigned to an unsuccessful hearing aid owner group (n=75) or a successful hearing aid owner group (n=85).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A similar combination of factors was associated with the decisions to consult a health professional about HI and/or to adopt hearing aids. The most important factors related to attitudinal beliefs (e.g. perceived benefits of hearing aids) and external cues to action (e.g. support from significant others). Greater HI also influenced consultation and adoption of hearing aids.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings highlight the importance of non-audiological factors in hearing rehabilitation to improve consultation for HI and hearing aid adoption.
authors.affiliation: * The HEARing Cooperative Research Centre , Australia.
authors.forename: Carly
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hickson
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lovelock
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lampert
authors.forename: Asad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khan
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001307:Auditory Perception; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D012048:Correction of Hearing Impairment / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006309:Hearing; D006310:Hearing Aids; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010465:Perception; D019986:Persons with Hearing Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012189:Retrospective Studies