Subjective evaluation of sound amplification benefit and effects in elderly individuals

Abstract

Purpose: the objectives of this study were to determine the benefit and effects of hearing aid’s usage, as well as to correlate the benefit results with satisfaction. Method: the subjects were four women and three men, with age range from 70 to 87 years old, hearing aid’s experienced users. The evaluation of the benefit consisted of the application of the questionnaire APHAB, and the evaluation of the effects happened through the inventory IOI-HA. Results: there were no statistically significant differences among the two conditions with and without hearing aids in the benefit’s subjective evaluation and 57.1% of the patients presented global benefit. Conclusion: benefit is not the basic condition for elder’s hearing aid satisfaction and each individual has presented different configurations relative with his/her physical, emotional, social and cultural conditions.