The relationship between pre-fitting expectations and willingness to use hearing aids.

Hearing-aid use in the elderly population is problematic since not all people who would benefit from hearing aids actually obtain one. In this study, the relationship between pre-fitting expectations and willingness to use hearing aids is addressed. One hundred adult hearing aid candidates (mean age 68.6 years) were randomly recruited from eight different private ENT practices. The subjects completed a questionnaire comprising a number of different aspects of expectation and some additional variables potentially influencing willingness to use hearing aids. Based on the outcome of the questionnaire a linear regression model predicting motivation to use hearing aids was calculated and evaluated. Among the 11 parameters evaluated three contributed significantly to the model of willingness. The three predictor variables were expectations towards improvement of quality of life, stigmatization, and self-rated hearing ability. They accounted for about 55% of the variability in the data for willingness. Examination of a sub-sample three months after the survey had taken place revealed a distinct relationship between willingness and the decision to obtain or decline hearing aids. In conclusion, the results strongly encourage supporting positive expectations in order to motivate individuals with hearing impairment to use hearing systems.