Level of User Satisfaction with Hearing Aids and Environment: The International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The main function of hearing is to enable oral communication. Hearing loss impairs communication skills. Objective: To evaluate the level of user satisfaction with hearing aids. Methods This is a cross-sectional group study comprising 108 subjects (56% men and 44% women). The average age of the subjects was 77 years. These subjects had been recently fitted with their hearing aids and showed sensorineural (90%) and mixed (10%) hearing loss as determined via the Questionnaire International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids Outcome Inventory (IOI-HA), which determined the benefit and satisfaction obtained by sound amplification. Results: The hearing aids improved the quality of life of 52.78% of the patients, which was revealed by their high scores (mean= 27.3). The relationship of the user with the environment was significantly better (p < 0.001) than that of the user with the hearing aid. Conclusion: IOI-HA is a simple and easy-to-use tool. Based on the results of this study, we can show a high degree of satisfaction with their hearing aids in the majority of the participants, which improved the quality of life...