Rate and reasons for hearing aid non-use in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
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Abstract
Background: It has been estimated in overseas studies that between 1% and
40% of hearing aids dispensed are not used (Dillon et al, 1999; Kochkin, 2005;
Lupsakko & Kautiainen, 2005; Parving & Sibelle, 2001; Smeeth et al, 2002; Stark &
Hickson, 2004). Hearing aid non-use has not been evaluated in the New Zealand
context, so it is the aim of this study to determine the rate of hearing aid non-use in
New Zealand and to investigate factors that may predict whether hearing aid adopters
go on to be successful hearing aid users.
Methods: Participants engaged in a phone interview that was conducted to
investigate factors affecting hearing aid use. The interview questions were related to
the Health Belief Model and thus focused on perceived susceptibility, perceived
severity, perceived barriers, perceived benefits and self-efficacy of hearing aid use.
Descriptive qualitative analysis was then applied to analyse themes from the
interviews.
Results: Ten barriers and nine facilitators to hearing aid use in New Zealand
were found. Perceived severity and self-efficacy were also studied in relation to
hearing aid use. It was found that perceived severity did affect hearing aid use, with
those who perceive their hearing severity to be worse, wearing their hearing aids more
than those who perceive no or little hearing difficulty. Whereas self-efficacy of
hearing aid management did not have a significant relationship with hearing aid use.
Conclusion: The results from this study highlight reasons why hearing aid
adopters become successful or unsuccessful hearing aid users. It is hoped clinicians will be able to provide additional support to those who are considered unsuccessful
users or at risk of becoming an unsuccessful user.