Older Adults: Hearing Handicap and Hearing Aid Management

Older adult successful hearing aid users demonstrated an advantage in self-perceived communication effectiveness over nonusers in selected communication situations. They were more likely than nonusers to take a proactive approach to managing difficult communication situations. Successful hearing aid users accepted their hearing loss condition. In managing their hearing loss, successful users based their decision to purchase and use hearing aids on personal information and initiative rather than being influenced by the perceptions of others. Hearing aid costs and personal appearance while wearing hearing aids were nondeterring factors in their acceptance and use. Successful hearing aid users were more tolerant of imperfections in the hearing aid delivery system and product performance than those who chose not to use amplification. Overall results suggest the need for further investigation of personality factors that influence hearing aid selection and use; increased consumer and physician education in the advantages of hearing aid use; population-specific approaches to counseling in the acceptance and use of amplification; and development of approaches to marketing hearing instruments that emphasize consumer benefit.