EVALUATION OF HEARING AID SATISFACTION AND PERFORMANCE IN THE GERIATRIC POPULATION
Objective: The aim was to evaluate hearing aid satisfaction and patient performance in geriatric patients using hearing aids using the APHAB-TR questionnaire.
Method: Patients aged ≥ 65 years, with no reading or writing problems, using unilateral or bilateral hearing aids, using hearing aids for at least 6 weeks, and using hearing aids for at least 1 hour per day were included. The study used the Turkish version of the APHAB assessment questionnaire, defined by Cox and Alexander (1995) and widely used in the literature.
Results: A total of 81 patients, 38 females (46.9%) and 43 males (53.1%), were included in the study. Statistical significance was observed except for the discomfort (AV scale) subscale.
Conclusion: The APHAB satisfaction questionnaire was found to be a reliable instrument and can assess the benefit and satisfaction derived from hearing aids. This questionnaire can be easily administered in primary healthcare centers. This will enable the follow-up of a larger number of patients using hearing aids. Geriatric patients with low hearing aid satisfaction can be identified early and referred to reference centers, thus improving their quality of life.