PURPOSE: to evaluate the level of user satisfaction with the hearing aids and with their environment. METHODS: cross study of a group, with 256 subjects (m= 48.33%; f= 51.67%), average age of 50 years, just fitted with their hearing aid, with sensorioneural (n=268) and mixed (n=32) hearing impairment, through the Questionnaire International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids Outcome Inventory - IOI-HA to determine the degree of the benefit and the satisfaction brought by the sound amplification. RESULTS: for 68% the use of the hearing aids improved their quality of life, revealed by their high punctuation (mean= 26.45). The relationship of the user with its hearing aid was significantly better (p<0.001*) than that related to the environment. In the subjective evaluation of the auditory problems, 78.5% have stated to have auditory problem of light to moderate degree and 21.5% problems of moderately severe to severe. CONCLUSION: the IOI-HA is a tool, simple and easy to apply and it is used as an instrument in helping us during the period of acclimatization with the hearing aid. The improvement in the quality of life of the men that were most referred was about the satisfaction level with the hearing aid and with less impact concerning the others. The level of difficulties about the subjective problems referred in the daily life, was more useful than the information revealed in the audiogram. The analysis showed the strong association regarding the self perception with the degree of hearing loss. The subjects with perception of severe or moderately severe auditory loss degree showed more participation restriction in their life.
Consumer Satisfaction; Quality of Life; Cochlear Implantation
