Pilot study: Efficacy of recalling adult hearing-aid users for reassessment after three years within a publicly-funded audiology service.

Routine recall for reassessment of adult hearing-aid users has been recommended by national audiology standards in the United Kingdom. The objective of this study was to determine whether recalling patients after three years was appropriate within a publicly-funded health service model, by investigating changes in hearing thresholds, and problems presented by adult hearing-aid users at reassessment appointments. Patients who had not had contact (except for the repair service) with the department for three years or more were invited to participate in the pilot reassessment programme, and 62% attended (total of 95 subjects). The reassessment appointment was found to be clearly appropriate for 58% of subjects seen, using our defined criteria. 100% of subjects were also found to need minor interventions. It is suggested that recall for reassessment after three years was generally appropriate for this patient group whose needs were not adequately met by self-referral and repair services. Some evidence was also found that subjects who have not accessed open repair clinics might be suitable for targeting for reassessment appointments.