IN-THE-CANAL HEARING-AIDS - THEIR USE BY AND BENEFIT FOR THE YOUNGER AND ELDERLY HEARING-IMPAIRED

In-the-canal hearing aids. Parving, A. and Boisen, G. (Department of Audiology, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark). Scand Audiol 1990, 19 (25-30), The present investigation was performed in order to evaluate the use and benefit of in-the-canal hearing aids (ITC-HAs; Dan 131) in a group of elderly and younger subjects. An extensive questionnaire was mailed to 256 hearing aid users. The responding group comprised 220 subjects (86%) and consisted of 108 males and 112 females with a median age of 69 years, range 11-89. In order to compare between the elderly and the younger subjects, the material was subdivided into two groups: one < 70 years (n= 113), and the other 70 years (n= 107). The median values of the average threshold at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz for the right and/or left ear (which was fitted with hearing aid(s)) was 43 dB HL, thus indicating a moderate hearing loss. The questionnaires demonstrated that 74% of the subjects used their ITC-HA every’ day, 28% used the aid very seldom and only 1 % never used [he hearing-aid. 74% of the total sample were satisfied or very satisfied with the ITC-HA, while 19% were not entirely satisfied or dissatisfied. No significant differences between the elderly and the younger groups were found concerning time-related use, situational use, self-assessed effect, or general satisfaction/dissatisfaction with the aid. The elderly found the aid significantly more troublesome to deal with. It is concluded that hearing-impaired subjects with moderate hearing losses use and benefit from ITA-HAs, regardless of age. However, a ITC-HA should be recommended for the elderly only if they can be offered thorough individual instruction. © 1990, Informa UK Ltd. All rights reserved.