Background: Hearing loss is a common sensory impairment experienced by older persons. Evidence
shows that the use of hearing aids and/or assistive listening devices (ALDs) can benefit
those with a hearing loss but that historically the uptake and use of these technologies
has remained relatively low compared with the number of people who report a hearing
loss.
Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, usage, and factors associated
with the use of hearing aids and ALDs in an older representative Australian population.
Research Design: A population-based survey.
Study Sample: A total of 2956 persons out of 3914 eligible people between the ages of 49 and 99
yr (mean age 67.4 yr), living in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, completed a hearing
study conducted from 1997 to 2003.
Data Collection and Analysis: Hearing levels were assessed using pure tone audiometry, and subjects were administered
a comprehensive hearing survey by audiologists, which included questions about hearing
aid and ALD usage. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated
with hearing aid and ALD usage.
Results: Of the surveyed population, 33% had a hearing loss as measured in the better ear.
4.4% had used an ALD in the past 12 mo, and 11% owned a hearing aid. Of current hearing
aid owners, 24% never used their aids. ALD and hearing aid usage were found to be
associated with increasing age, hearing loss, and self-perceived hearing disability.
Conclusions: These results indicate that hearing aid ownership and ALD usage remains low in the
older population. Given the significant proportion of older people who self-report
and have a measured hearing loss, it is possible that more could be helped through
the increased use of hearing aid and/or ALD technology. Greater efforts are needed
to promote the benefits of these technologies and to support their use among older
people with hearing loss.
Key Words
Aging - assistive listening device - Blue Mountains Hearing Study - hearing aids -
hearing loss - prevalence studies - self-reported handicap
