Perception of hard of hearing children and adolescents and their families about the use and benefit with hearing devices

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To analyze the self-perception of hard of hearing children and adolescents and their families about the daily use of hearing devices, comparing the referred use with data logging, as well as knowing the self-reported benefits with hearing aids.

Methods

Cross-sectional, observational, descriptive-analytical study, with quantitative and qualitative analysis, approved by the Research Ethics Committee. Adapted Questionnaires were applied to 38 children and adolescents and their families, additionally, the data logging of their devices was collected. Descriptive and comparative analysis were performed, using the Kappa coefficient between data logging and the use reported by users and families, in addition to qualitative analysis of their perception about the devices.

Results

Children, adolescents and their families overestimated, respectively, on average 5.3 and 2.5 hours per day, the time of hearing aids use, compared to the data logging measure. They r eported benefits from using hearing aids, although the use and the handling of remote microphones were the biggest identified challenge , both for the users and for their families.

Conclusion

There was disagreement between the number of hours reported by users and their families , as well as between them and the data logging measure. Families reported the need for more guidance about remote microphones, which points to the importance of personalized intervention aimed at the empowerment of these family members, children and adolescents, with the involvement of the school team and support network, identified by the families as essential for the effective use of hearing devices.

Keywords:
Hearing loss; Hearing aids; Daily living activities; Self report; Treatment adherence and compliance