title: 'Getting used to' hearing aids from the perspective of adult hearing-aid users.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe getting used to hearing aids from the perspective of adult hearing-aid users.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three focus group discussions were carried out. A topic guide and discussion exercises were used to elicit views on getting used to hearing aids. Discussion was audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and subjected to qualitative content analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adult hearing aid users (n = 16).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants described getting used to hearing aids as a multi-factorial process which included adjusting to altered sensory input, practical matters such as cleaning and maintenance, and managing the psychosocial impact of hearing-aid use, such as on self-image. Users reported a process of discovering benefits and limitations of hearing aids leading to individual patterns of use that was relatively independent of input from audiologists.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Getting used to hearing aids is a challenging multi-factorial process with both psychosocial and practical difficulties besides demands of adjusting to hearing-aid input.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester , UK.
authors.forename: Piers
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dawes
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maslin
authors.forename: Kevin J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Munro
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003142:Communication; D012048:Correction of Hearing Impairment / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006310:Hearing Aids / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D057545:Social Stigma
keywords: Hearing aids; adjustment to hearing aids; focus group