Feasibility Study: Association of Dexterity and Hearing Aid Handling
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluation of the Association between Manual Dexterity and Hearing Aid Handling Skills in New Adult Hearing Aid Users: A Feasibility Study
IRAS ID
266126
Contact name
Amanda Hall
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Aston University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 0 days
Research summary
It is reported that approximately 25% of individuals that have been fitted with hearing aids do not wear their devices, which significantly contributes to the £30 billion per annum cost to the UK economy arising from adult hearing loss. A potential factor in the under-utilisation of these devices could be the effects of ageing and established disorders (e.g. arthritis) on the hand function of these individuals, resulting in the inability to manipulate and use their hearing aids. This is important because dexterity impairment (impaired hand function) is predominant in the more prevalent age ranges seen by adult audiology in the UK, with around 42% of adults measured as hearing impaired being over 50 years old and 71% being over 70 years old.
The purpose of the study is to determine if it is feasible to research whether a test of dexterity ability predicts how well patients put in, maintain and use their hearing aid/s (hearing aid manipulation). We will test the dexterity ability of individuals that are newly fitted with hearing aids and measure their hearing aid manipulation ability a short time after they have been fitted.
Currently there is no scientific evidence to allow audiologists to confidently use a dexterity measure to predict how well a patient may or may not get on with putting in, maintaining and using their hearing aid/s. This study is important as it could to lead to creating a larger scale study in the future to find a valid way of testing dexterity ability in audiology. A dexterity test would help us to recognise when extra support or training is needed for patients, and help us to identify when a patient needs a device that is easier to use.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
19/NS/0165
Date of REC Opinion
8 Oct 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion