Qualitative interviews on the beliefs and feelings of adults towards their ownership, but non-use of hearing aids

Anouk M. Linssen*, Manuela A. Joore, Rianne K. H. Minten, Yvonne D. van Leeuwen, Lucien J. C. Anteunis

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Objective: Up to a quarter of the adults who own hearing aids never use them. To provide these 'non-users' with the best help, hearing care professionals need to have an in-depth understanding of the non-users' beliefs and feelings with regard to the non-use. This qualitative study explored these beliefs and feelings in order to increase our understanding of hearing aid non-users. Design: Individual face-to-face semi-structured interviews were completed. Study sample: Eleven hearing aid owners (aged 54-80 years) who reported that they never or hardly ever used their hearing aids. Results: The participants expressed a variety of feelings towards their non-use, including indifference, self-annoyance, frustration, powerlessness, shame, and guilt. Their feelings were related to beliefs about: (1) the severity of their hearing handicap with and without hearing aids, (2) whom or what was responsible for the non-use, and (3) the attitudes of significant others towards the non-use. Conclusions: Hearing-aid non-users differ in their beliefs and feelings towards the non-use. A patient-centred approach is needed.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)670-677
JournalInternational Journal of Audiology
Volume52
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2013

Keywords

  • Hearing loss
  • hearing-aid non-use
  • qualitative research

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