Understanding and encouraging hearing aid use

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  The effect of self affirmation on hearing aid beliefs and hearing aid use

• IRAS ID

  156077

• Contact name

  Deborah Lees

• Contact email

  deborah.lees@uhsm.nhs.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Manchester

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 9 months, 0 days

• Research summary

  Low adherence to hearing aid use is reported in a number of studies. Our objectives in this pilot study are to explore the effect of self affirmation on hearing aid use in new users and to understand the participants’ hearing aid views and opinions in relation to hearing aid use and self affirmation. Self affirmation theory is based on the idea that when a person perceives a threat, such as having to wear hearing aids, they use defensive mechanisms to avoid the threat. Self-affirming behaviour such as remembering their own strengths in other areas will reduce the use of defensive mechanisms and help them to wear hearing aids.

  All the participants will follow the standard care which includes an assessment, a hearing aid fitting appointment and a follow up appointment. As part of the study, participants will be split into two groups. Both groups will be asked to complete a questionnaire at the assessment containing 23 questions on their views and opinions about hearing aids and getting older. The experimental group’s questionnaire will include one additional question which is the self affirmation intervention. At the follow up appointment, the participants will be asked to repeat the questionnaire as well as complete another questionnaire on hearing aid use. The latter will be used to construct the outcome measure. Also, information on hearing aid use will be downloaded from the hearing aid to be used to cross­validate the hearing aid use questionnaire.

  The target population is all new hearing aid users. The study’s inclusion criteria are adults aged 18 years or above with a mild to moderate hearing loss who have not completed a hearing test previously. The exclusion criteria includes those requiring medical investigation, additional needs, known mental health or cognitive impairment or those reporting investigations for memory problems.

• REC name

  London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  14/LO/1681

• Date of REC Opinion

  8 Oct 2014

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion