Shared experiences among successful hearing aid users with high hearing aid self-efficacy

Abstract

Objective

While targeted rehabilitation can enhance hearing aid self-efficacy (HASE), little research has been done to determine the factors contributing to its predictive value. By investigating the experiences of individuals who successfully use HAs and have high levels of HASE, we hoped to illuminate specific strategies and/or sources of support these individuals share that might explain why high HASE is often linked to successful outcomes.

Design and study sample

This qualitative study explored the experiences of five older adults who were successful HA users and reported having high HASE. Semi-structured interview guides were developed using the transtheoretical model of behavioral change as a framework. Interviews were analyzed thematically and holistically.

Results

Participants attributed their HA success to: intrinsic motivation to improve their hearing, confident self-reliance when making health decisions, willingness to act on advice from trusted others, pro-social personal attributes, positive expectations about HA outcomes, and actively pursuing an optimal HA outcome.

Conclusions

For these participants, internal factors related to emotional state and source of motivation, and, to a lesser extent, verbal persuasion played a crucial role in their long-term success. This suggests that external influencers might be less impactful in facilitating success for those with high HASE.

Keywords:

• Adult
• amplification
• audiology
• hearing aid
• hearing loss
• hearing aid self-efficacy
• interpretive phenomenology
• motivation
• personality
• satisfaction
• success
• qualitative analysis

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dr. Alison Anne Happel-Parkins, University of Memphis, for her advice on reporting the findings of this qualitative research.

Disclosure statement

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial relationships to disclose.

Data availability statement

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are not publicly available due to lab policies but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.