title: Motivational engagement in first-time hearing aid users: A feasibility study.
abstract: To assess (1) the feasibility of incorporating the Ida Institute's Motivation Tools into a UK audiology service, (2) the potential benefits of motivational engagement in first-time hearing aid users, and (3) predictors of hearing aid and general health outcome measures.
  
  
  
  A feasibility study using a single-centre, prospective, quasi-randomized controlled design with two arms. The Ida Institute's Motivation Tools formed the basis for motivational engagement.
  
  
  
  First-time hearing aid users were recruited at the initial hearing assessment appointment. The intervention arm underwent motivational engagement (M+, n = 32), and a control arm (M-, n = 36) received standard care only.
  
  
  
  The M+ group showed greater self-efficacy, reduced anxiety, and greater engagement with the audiologist at assessment and fitting appointments. However, there were no significant between-group differences 10-weeks post-fitting. Hearing-related communication scores predicted anxiety, and social isolation scores predicted depression for the M+ group. Readiness to address hearing difficulties predicted hearing aid outcomes for the M- group. Hearing sensitivity was not a predictor of outcomes.
  
  
  
  There were some positive results from motivational engagement early in the patient journey. Future research should consider using qualitative methods to explore whether there are longer-term benefits of motivational engagement in hearing aid users.
authors.affiliation: a NIHR Nottingham Hearing Biomedical Research Unit, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine , University of Nottingham , Nottingham , UK .|b Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust , Nottingham , UK .
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferguson
authors.affiliation: a NIHR Nottingham Hearing Biomedical Research Unit, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine , University of Nottingham , Nottingham , UK .
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Maidment
authors.affiliation: c Nottingham Audiology Services, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust , Nottingham , UK .
authors.forename: Naomi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.affiliation: d Ida Institute , Naerum , Denmark.
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gregory
authors.affiliation: c Nottingham Audiology Services, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust , Nottingham , UK .
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nicholson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D001307:Auditory Perception; D012048:Correction of Hearing Impairment / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000523:psychology*; D004739:England; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006310:Hearing Aids; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D062405:Motivational Interviewing; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D019986:Persons with Hearing Disabilities / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012934:Social Isolation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Motivation tools; hearing aid benefit; hearing aid use; help-seeking; readiness; self-efficacy; social isolation; wellbeing