Predictors of entering a hearing aid evaluation period: a prospective study in older hearing-help seekers

Pronk, Marieke; Deeg, Dorly J.H.; Versfeld, Niek J.; Heymans, Martijn; Naylor, Graham; Kramer, Sophia E.

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the predictors of entering a hearing aid evaluation period (HAEP) using a prospective design drawing on the health belief model and the transtheoretical model. In total, 377 older persons who presented with hearing problems to an ENT-specialist (n = 110) or a hearing aid dispenser (n = 267) filled in a baseline questionnaire. After four months, it was determined via a telephone interview whether or not participants had decided to enter a HAEP. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were applied to determine which baseline variables predicted HAEP status. A priori, candidate predictors were divided into ‘likely’ and ‘novel’ predictors based on the literature. The following variables turned out to be significant predictors: more expected hearing aid benefits, greater social pressure, and greater self-reported hearing disability. In addition, greater hearing loss severity and stigma were predictors in women but not in men. Of note, the predictive effect of self-reported hearing disability was modified by readiness such that with higher readiness, the positive predictive effect became stronger. None of the ‘novel’ predictors added significant predictive value. The results support the notion that predictors of hearing aid uptake are also predictive of entering a HAEP. This study shows that some of these predictors appear to be gender-specific or are dependent on a person’s readiness for change. After assuring the external validity of the predictors, an important next step would be to develop prediction rules for use in clinical practice, so that older persons’ hearing help seeking journey can be facilitated.

Citation

Pronk, M., Deeg, D. J., Versfeld, N. J., Heymans, M., Naylor, G., & Kramer, S. E. (in press). Predictors of entering a hearing aid evaluation period: a prospective study in older hearing-help seekers. Trends in Hearing, 21, https://doi.org/10.1177/2331216517744915

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 17, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Dec 14, 2017
• Deposit Date: Nov 7, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 14, 2017
• Journal: Trends in Hearing
• Electronic ISSN: 2331-2165
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 21
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/2331216517744915
• Keywords: Hearing help-seeking; Hearing aids; Older adults; Health Belief Model; Stages of Change
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/899755
• Publisher URL: http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2331216517744915
• Contract Date: Nov 7, 2017