Older Adults and Hearing Aids

Abstract

Background: Working with older adults and their hearing problems can be a challenge. This intervention titled “Hearing Aid Reintroduction-HEAR©” was developed to specifically address the challenges older adults face when attempting to adjust to hearing aids. Objective: The aim of this study was to provide preliminary data using theories of Critical Educational Gerogogy and International Classification of Functioning. Methods: Fifteen participants were instructed to use the HEAR intervention following a systematic 30-day program. These participants gradually increased the time hearing aids were worn while consecutively increasing the listening difficulty level. Conclusion: The older adult participants aged 70-85 years increased their hearing aid use time between 1-8 h per day with 50% of participants able to wear the hearing aids for at least 4 h. Hearing aid satisfaction also improved. While the HEAR intervention may be feasible, additional testing is warranted.