scholarly journals A Study of Korean Hearing Aid Satisfaction Survey Based on MarkeTrak VIII

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-57
Author(s):  
Sangik Sim ◽  
Junghak Lee ◽  
Jinsook Kim
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Cell Phone ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Related Services ◽  
Satisfaction Rate ◽  
Hearing Ability ◽  
The Status ◽  
Listening Environments ◽  
Comprehensive Study

Purpose: The aim of this study was to survey the satisfaction of hearing aid users in Korea. The questionnaire was designed to find out not only the satisfaction of wearing hearing aid but also the various viewpoints about the hearing aid itself of its wearers.Methods: A total of 118 subjects including 72 males and 46 females completed the survey from 28 hearing aids centers. The questionnaire was divided into two parts. The first part contained the audiological information reported by the experts and the other part included about the information of hearing aid performance, listening environments and related services reported by the hearing aid users.Results: Overall satisfaction rate of hearing aid was 64.4%. About 84% of the subjects answered that the hearing aid made their quality of life improved. The most satisfied function of the hearing aid was ‘overall comfort,’ the most satisfied sound quality was ‘improved hearing ability,’ the most satisfied listening environments was ‘one-to-one conversation,’ and the most satisfied service quality was ‘kindness of the staffs.’ The most important listening situation they thought was ‘communication with cell phone.’ The proportion of using customized hearing aid was 77.9%, bilateral fitting rate was 62.4% and average purchasing price was 1,820,000 won per a unit.Conclusion: The overall hearing aid satisfaction rate (64.4%) was lower than USA (81%) and Germany (76%) but higher than Japan (38%). In Korea, the comprehensive study for the hearing aid market, specific satisfaction viewpoints of the hearing aid wearers and the status of non-wearers who have hearing loss should be needed for improving the user’s hearing aid satisfaction rate in the future.

What Is Important for Hearing Aid Satisfaction? Application of the Expectancy-Disconfirmation Model

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (07) ◽  
pp. 644-655 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carly Meyer ◽  
Louise Hickson ◽  
Asad Khan ◽  
David Walker
Keyword(s):  
Research Design ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Consumer Satisfaction ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Hearing Ability ◽  
Expected Performance ◽  
Data Collection And Analysis ◽  
Listening Environments ◽  
Expectancy Disconfirmation ◽  
Hearing Aid Benefit

Background: Between 68.1–89.5% of clients report that they are satisfied with their hearing aids. Two variables that are thought to contribute to dissatisfaction with hearing aids are product performance, and a mismatch between performance and client prefitting expectations about hearing-aid performance (i.e., disconfirmation). A focus on variables related to satisfaction is relevant to improving hearing rehabilitation services. Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine if measures of hearing-aid performance and disconfirmation, specifically related to hearing ability and hearing-aid problems, were associated with overall hearing-aid satisfaction among a sample of hearing-aid users. Research Design: A retrospective research design was employed. Study Sample: A total of 123 individuals participated in the study (57% male; mean age: 72 yr). All participants owned hearing aids. Data Collection and Analysis: A personal details questionnaire and the Profile of Hearing Aid Consumer Satisfaction questionnaire (Wong et al, 2009) were completed by participants, 3–12 mo after they obtained hearing aids. Overall hearing-aid satisfaction was a dichotomized variable (satisfaction vs. dissatisfaction); therefore, logistic regression modeling was applied to the data to determine which variables were associated with overall hearing-aid satisfaction. Results: Sixty-one percent of the sample reported that they were satisfied with their hearing aids. Hearing-aid satisfaction was associated with the ability to hear with hearing aids and better-than-expected performance in this same area; fewer hearing-aid problems; and fewer problems with hearing-aid manipulation, hearing-aid appearance, and wearer discomfort than were anticipated before hearing-aid fitting. Conclusions: It is recommended that to improve hearing-aid satisfaction, clinicians should ensure optimal hearing-aid benefit in the listening situations that the person with hearing impairment most wants to hear better; reduce the likelihood of hearing-aid problems occurring; and promote positive disconfirmation (performance exceeds expectations) with respect to both hearing ability and hearing-aid performance through the education of clients about the likely benefits of hearing aids in a variety of listening environments, and the potential problems they could face with hearing-aid manipulation and wearer discomfort.

The Robustness of Hearing Aid Microphone Preferences in Everyday Listening Environments

2007 ◽  
Vol 18 (05) ◽  
pp. 358-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian E. Walden ◽  
Rauna K. Surr ◽  
Mary T. Cord ◽  
Ken W. Grant ◽  
Van Summers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Hearing Impaired ◽  
Laboratory Setting ◽  
Hearing Ability ◽  
Directional Microphone ◽  
Listening Environments ◽  
Processing Modes ◽  
Acoustic Environments ◽  
High Degree

Automatic directionality algorithms currently implemented in hearing aids assume that hearing-impaired persons with similar hearing losses will prefer the same microphone processing mode in a specific everyday listening environment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the robustness of microphone preferences in everyday listening. Two hearing-impaired persons made microphone preference judgments (omnidirectional preferred, directional preferred, no preference) in a variety of everyday listening situations. Simultaneously, these acoustic environments were recorded through the omnidirectional and directional microphone processing modes. The acoustic recordings were later presented in a laboratory setting for microphone preferences to the original two listeners and other listeners who differed in hearing ability and experience with directional microphone processing. The original two listeners were able to replicate their live microphone preferences in the laboratory with a high degree of accuracy. This suggests that the basis of the original live microphone preferences were largely represented in the acoustic recordings. Other hearing-impaired and normal-hearing participants who listened to the environmental recordings also accurately replicated the original live omnidirectional preferences; however, directional preferences were not as robust across the listeners. When the laboratory rating did not replicate the live directional microphone preference, listeners almost always expressed no preference for either microphone mode. Hence, a preference for omnidirectional processing was rarely expressed by any of the participants to recorded sites where directional processing had been preferred as a live judgment and vice versa. These results are interpreted to provide little basis for customizing automatic directionality algorithms for individual patients. The implications of these findings for hearing aid design are discussed. Los algoritmos automáticos de direccionalidad actualmente implementados en auxiliares auditivos asumen que las personas hipoacúsicas con pérdidas similares preferirán el mismo modo de procesamiento del micrófono en los ambientes cotidianos específicos de escucha. El propósito de este estudio fue evaluar la firmeza de las preferencias de micrófonos para la audición cotidiana. Dos personas hipoacúsicas establecieron juicios de preferencia en cuanto a los micrófonos (preferencia omnidireccional, preferencia direccional, sin preferencia) en una variedad de situaciones cotidianas de escucha. Simultáneamente, estos ambientes acústicos fueron registrados a través de modos omnidireccionales y direccionales de procesamiento del micrófono. Las grabaciones acústicas fueron luego presentadas en un contexto de laboratorio para preferencias del micrófono a los dos sujetos originales y a dos sujetos que diferían en su habilidad auditiva y en su experiencia con procesamiento direccional de micrófonos. Los dos sujetos originales pudieron replicar en el laboratorio sus preferencias de micrófono en vivo con un alto grado de exactitud. Esto sugiere que las bases para la preferencia original y aquella en vivo de los micrófonos fueron correctamente representadas en los registros acústicos. Otros participantes con hipoacusia y normoyentes que escucharon los registros ambientales también replicaron con exactitud las preferencias omnidireccionales originales en vivo; sin embargo, las preferencias direccionales no fueron tan consistentes entre todos ellos. Cuando la clasificación de laboratorio no replicó la preferencia direccional de micrófono en vivo, los sujetos casi siempre dejaron de expresar preferencia por ningún modo de micrófono. Por lo tanto, la preferencia para procesamiento omnidireccional raramente fue escogida por ninguno de los participantes para situaciones donde se había preferido el registro direccional como un juicio en vivo y viceversa. Se interpreta que estos resultados aportan poco en la búsqueda de adecuar automáticamente los algoritmos de direccionalidad para pacientes individuales. Se discuten las implicaciones de estos hallazgos en el diseño de auxiliares auditivos.

Noise Exposure Associated With Hearing Aid Use in Industry

1996 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas G. Dolan ◽  
James F. Maurer
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Sound Field ◽  
High Gain ◽  
Sound Level ◽  
Weighted Averages ◽  
Hearing Aid Use ◽  
Listening Environments ◽  
Level Meter

Although noise may be innocuous in many vocational environments, there is a growing concern in industry that it can reach hazardous levels when amplified by hearing aids. This study examined the daily noise exposures associated with hearing aid use in industry. This was done by both laboratory and site measurements in which hearing aids were coupled to the microphone of an integrating sound level meter or dosimeter. The former method involved the use of recorded railroad and manufacturing noise and a Bruel and Kjaer 4128 Head and Torso simulator. In the latter procedure, a worker wore one of three hearing aids coupled to a dosimeter during 8-hour shifts in a manufacturing plant. Both methods demonstrated that even when amplified by mild-gain hearing aids, noise exposures rose from time-weighted averages near 80 dBA to well above the OSHA maximum of 90 dBA. The OSHA maximum was also exceeded when moderate and high gain instruments were worn in non-occupational listening environments. The results suggest that current OSHA regulations that limit noise exposure in sound field are inappropriate for hearing aid users.

scholarly journals Survey of Hearing Aid Conditions for Hearing Impaired Persons While Driving

2020 ◽  
pp. 132-136
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Ikeda ◽  
Shigeyuki Minami
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Visual Information ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Hearing Impaired ◽  
Safe Driving ◽  
Actual Usage ◽  
Hearing Ability ◽  
Acquired Hearing Loss ◽  
The Impact

Hearing impaired persons are required to drive with hearing aids to supplement their hearing ability, however, there has not been sufficient discussion regarding the impact of the use of a hearing aid on driving a vehicle. In order to investigate the actual usage and driving conditions of using hearing aids while driving a vehicle, this paper uses a questionnaire to survey (1) how easy it is to drive when wearing hearing aids, and (2) how often hearing aids are not worn while driving. Concerning the ease of driving when wearing a hearing aid, it was suggested that people with congenital hearing loss were more likely to rely on visual information, and those with acquired hearing loss continue to use their experience of hearing. When the level of disability is high, it is difficult to drive when using the hearing aid, and when the disability level is low, it is easier to drive. Regarding the frequency of driving without wearing hearing aids, about 60 % of respondents had such an experience. Those who often drive without hearing aids had experienced headaches due to noise from wearing hearing aids compared to those who wear hearing aids at all times. Hearing aids are necessary assistive devices for hearing impaired persons to obtain hearing information, and to provide a safe driving environment. Therefore, this paper addresses issues to maintain a comfortable driving environment while wearing a hearing aid.

scholarly journals Perception of One’s Own Voice After Hearing-Aid Fitting for Naive Hearing-Aid Users and Hearing-Aid Refitting for Experienced Hearing-Aid Users

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 233121652093246
Author(s):  
Johanna Hengen ◽  
Inger L. Hammarström ◽  
Stefan Stenfelt
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Impairment ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Voice Perception ◽  
Hearing Aid Fitting ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Vocal Intensity ◽  
First Time

Dissatisfaction with the sound of one’s own voice is common among hearing-aid users. Little is known regarding how hearing impairment and hearing aids separately affect own-voice perception. This study examined own-voice perception and associated issues before and after a hearing-aid fitting for new hearing-aid users and refitting for experienced users to investigate whether it was possible to differentiate between the effect of (unaided) hearing impairment and hearing aids. Further aims were to investigate whether First-Time and Experienced users as well as users with dome and mold inserts differed in the severity of own-voice problems. The study had a cohort design with three groups: First-Time hearing-aid users going from unaided to aided hearing ( n = 70), Experienced hearing-aid users replacing their old hearing aids ( n = 70), and an unaided control group ( n = 70). The control group was surveyed once and the hearing-aid users twice; once before hearing-aid fitting/refitting and once after. The results demonstrated that own-voice problems are common among both First-Time and Experienced hearing-aid users with either dome- or mold-type fittings, while people with near-normal hearing and not using hearing aids report few problems. Hearing aids increased ratings of own-voice problems among First-Time users, particularly those with mold inserts. The results suggest that altered auditory feedback through unaided hearing impairment or through hearing aids is likely both to change own-voice perception and complicate regulation of vocal intensity, but hearing aids are the primary reason for poor perceived sound quality of one’s own voice.

Hearing Aid Outcomes: Effects of Gender and Experience on Patients' Use and Satisfaction

2009 ◽  
Vol 20 (07) ◽  
pp. 422-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria A. Williams ◽  
Carole E. Johnson ◽  
Jeffrey L. Danhauer
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Statistical Power ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Normative Study ◽  
Digital Hearing Aids ◽  
Specific Questionnaire ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Experience Effects

Purpose: To use the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA) with patients having advanced hearing aid technology to assess their satisfaction and benefit focusing on gender and experience effects, compare to norms, and use the IOI-HA and a practice-specific questionnaire to monitor the quality of the services provided by a dispensing practice. Research Design: A study of 160 potential participants who had worn their newly purchased multichannel digital hearing aids having directional microphones for at least three months, completed a trial period, and should have had time to acclimatize to them. English-speaking, private or insurance paying, competent, adult patients from a private practice were mailed a 12-item practice-specific questionnaire and the seven-item IOI-HA. Results: Of the160 questionnaires mailed, 73 were returned for a 46% return rate. Of those, 64 were useable. Participants included male (34) and female (30), new (30) and previous (34) hearing aid users, who self-selected their participation by returning the questionnaires. The practice-specific questionnaire assessed patients' demographics and the quality of services received. The IOI-HA was analyzed according to an overall score and on two different factor scores. A power analysis revealed that 19 respondents per group were needed for the IOI-HA results to have a statistical power of .80 and probability of a Type II error of .20 for detecting a significant difference at the p < 0.05 level. Similar to earlier studies, no significant differences were observed either for any of the main effects or interactions for gender or user experience for the two IOI-HA factors and overall scores. A significant, but weak, positive correlation (r = .34; df = 63; p < .05) was observed between patients' overall satisfaction as indicated from the IOI-HA and the practice-specific quality assurance satisfaction question. T-tests on IOI-HA items 4 (satisfaction) and 7 (quality of life) revealed that the present participants' responses were significantly higher than for those in the normative study. Conclusions: Gender and hearing aid experience did not influence these patients' responses on the IOI-HA, and all respondents were satisfied with their hearing aids and the practice that dispensed them. No major differences were found between these patients' IOI-HA results and normative data suggesting that both sets of respondents were satisfied with their hearing aids. However, limited statistical comparisons for the satisfaction and quality of life items revealed significant differences in favor of these participants' scores over those in the normative study. This suggested that the advanced hearing aid technology used here had a positive effect on patients' ratings and that the IOI-HA norms should be updated periodically to reflect changes in technology.

Low-Frequency Response of Hearing Aids and Judgments of Aided Speech Quality

1980 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 325-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerry L. Punch ◽  
Edwin L. Beck
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Response ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Paired Comparison ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Cutoff Frequency ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Hearing Impaired ◽  
Connected Discourse ◽  
Experimental Trials

Connected discourse was processed by a master hearing aid via two channels that were independently adjusted to seven discrete settings of low-cutoff frequency. Signals were tape-recorded and played back in a paired-comparison format to 12 listeners with gradually sloping sensorineural hearing loss, who selected the speech channel preferred for its sound quality. Four experimental trials were administered, each of which consisted of 21 randomized paired conditions. Results across the four trials revealed high intersubject and intrasubject response agreement. Listeners indicated strong and systematic preferences for speech reproduced by circuitry having progressively extended low-frequency emphasis. Findings confirm earlier experimental observations that hearing-impaired listeners are capable of making repeatable paired-comparison preference judgments of the quality of hearing-aid processed speech. Additionally, results demonstrate definitively that low-cutoff frequency is sufficiently robust to be regarded as the probable source of a potent perceptual basis for such judgments. The clinical implication is that hearing-impaired listeners can be expected to exhibit strong preferences for the quality of speech reproduced by hearing aids having relatively extended low-frequency response.

The bone anchored hearing aid—The third option for otosclerosis

1996 ◽  
Vol 110 (21) ◽  
pp. 31-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. P. Burrell ◽  
H. C. Cooper ◽  
D. W. Proops
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Treatment Option ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Queen Elizabeth Hospital ◽  
Suppurative Otitis Media ◽  
The Third ◽  
Hearing Ability ◽  
Bone Anchored Hearing Aid ◽  
Experience Difficulty

AbstractThe bone anchored hearing aid (BAHA) has mainly been used for the treatment of hearing loss in patients with congenital conductive problems or chronic suppurative otitis media.In a five-year period, 32 otosclerotic patients have been referred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for consideration of a BAHA. Ten of these patients have been fitted and gained benefit compared to their previous hearing aid. The benefits are not necessarily those in hearing ability but in some cases relate to cosmetic or comfort improvements. This paper demonstrates that the BAHA offers a third treatment option for otosclerosis in patients who cannot or will not undergo stapedectomy and experience difficulty with conventional hearing aids.

Bone-anchored hearing aids in children and young adults: the Freeman Hospital experience

2010 ◽  
Vol 125 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Ramakrishnan ◽  
S Marley ◽  
D Leese ◽  
T Davison ◽  
I J M Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Glasgow Benefit Inventory ◽  
Bone Anchored Hearing Aid ◽  
Children And Young Adults

AbstractObjective:To investigate the utilisation of bone-anchored hearing aids and Softband, as well as the effects on quality of life, amongst the paediatric and young adult population of Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.Method:Retrospective, anonymised, cross-sectional survey using the Glasgow Benefit Inventory and Listening Situation Questionnaire (parent version), administered at least three months following the start of bone-anchored hearing aid or Softband use.Results:One hundred and nine patients were included, of whom syndromic children made up a significant proportion (22 of 109). Patients using bone-anchored hearing aids obtained significant educational and social benefit from their aids. The mean Listening Situation Questionnaire difficulty score was 17 (15 patients), which is below the trigger score of 22+ at which further reassessment and rehabilitation is required. 87% (of 15 patients) did not require further intervention. The overall mean GBI score for the 22 patients (syndromic and non-syndromic) was +29.Conclusion:The use of bone-anchored hearing aids and Softband results in significant improvements in quality of life for children and young adults with hearing impairment. There is significant under-utilisation of bone-anchored hearing aids in children with skull and congenital abnormalities, and we would advocate bone-anchored hearing aid implantation for these patients.

scholarly journals A Study on the Korean Conversation Speech Level and Spectrum in Sound-Treated Environment

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young Kwon Han ◽  
Kyoungwon Lee
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Conversational Speech ◽  
Hearing Aid Fitting ◽  
Importance Function ◽  
Speech Spectrum ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Korean Type

Purpose: Several studies have reported the differences between Korean and other countries’ speech in long-term average speech spectrum (LTASS) and band importance function. Authors tried to identify the conversational speech level, the resulting spectrum, and the LTASS for Korean. The purpose of this study was to support the production of a Korean-type hearing aid fitting formula to effectively improve the sound quality of hearing aids and the communication abilities with hearing aids, and to standardize the sound stimuli required to measure the performance of hearing aids. Methods: A total of 73 participants with normal hearing and with no specific voice and language deficits was voluntarily recruited from capital, Gyeongsang and Jeolla areas. The conversational speech level was measured by vocalizing ‘soft,’ ‘moderate,’ ‘raised,’ and ‘loud’ at a distance of 1.0 m from the speaker. And LTASS was measured by vocalizing it at a distance of 0.2 m from the speaker. Results: There was a difference in the mean of males and females in the conversation level, but no significant regional differences were shown. The conversational speech level corresponding to 30th, 65th, and 99th percentiles was 59.67, 64.74, and 79.07 dB sound pressure level, respectively. And the speech spectrum of 30th, 65th, and 99th percentile and LTASS showed in different forms from the international speech test signal. Conclusion: The results of this study should help to calculate the Korean type hearing aid fitting formula and should be used as the basic data to determine the characteristics of the sound stimuli when measuring the performance of the hearing aid.

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