Reasons for referral and attitudes toward hearing aids: do they affect outcome?

Many patients attending for a hearing aid are not self motivated, but in the majority of cases motivated by a relative. In this study, we have examined whether the reason for referral (self motivated or other) and the attitude toward a hearing aid at assessment affect outcome measures. One hundred and forty first-time hearing aid users were assessed at their initial hearing aid consultation and at review 3 months later. The reason for referral was not found to affect outcome measures. However, attitude towards a hearing aid was found to be significantly related to both satisfaction with it and its use at review. The importance of the attitude toward a hearing aid supports previous work and reiterates the importance of tailoring auditory rehabilitation towards the needs of the individual.