Psychological effects of hearing aid use in older adults

Journal/Book: J Gerontol Ser B Psychol Sci. 1997; 52: 1275 K Street NW, Suite 350, Washington, DC 20005-4006. Gerontological Society Amer. P127-P138.

Abstract: Hearing impairment in older adults is a chronic condition with high prevalence that shows negative correlations with communication, social integration, well-being, and cognition. In the present study, a group of elderly individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss who received a hearing aid for the first time in their lives (aural rehabilitation group, n = 70) and two age-matched control groups (hearing-impaired control group without hearing aids, n = 42, approximately normal hearing control group, n = 28) were tested longitudinally over a 6-month period. Measures examined their performance in the domains of communication problems, social activities, satisfaction with social relationships, well-being, and cognition. Data analyses show that in older persons with mild to moderate hearing loss, hearing aid use was positive effects on self-perceived hearing handicap, hat there is no effect of hearing aid use in domains like social activities, satisfaction with social relations, well-being, and cognitive functioning.

Note: Article TeschRomer C, Univ Greifswald, Inst Psychol, Franz Mehring Str 47, D-17487 Greifswald, GERMANY

Keyword(s): MINI-MENTAL STATE; QUALITY-OF-LIFE; ELDERLY POPULATION; NURSING-HOME; IMPAIRMENT; AGE; INTELLIGENCE; PREVALENCE; DISABILITY; VALIDATION

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