Trial of hearing aids in elderly persons admitted to a long-term care facility: First report ―effects of hearing aids―
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- Suzuki Keiko
- Department of Rehabilitation, Kitasato University School of Allied Health Sciences
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- Inoue Rie
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Kitasato University Hospital
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- Umehara Sachie
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Kitasato University Hospital
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- Hata Wakana
- Department of Rehabilitation, Kitasato University School of Allied Health Sciences
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- Shimizu Shuhei
- Department of Rehabilitation, Sagami Rehabilitation Hospital
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- Sano Hajime
- Department of Rehabilitation, Kitasato University School of Allied Health Sciences
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- Okamoto Makito
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Kitasato University School of Medicine
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- Yamashita Taku
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Kitasato University School of Medicine
Bibliographic Information
- Other Title
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- 介護老人保健施設入所者の補聴器試聴 第一報
- ―補聴器装用の効果―
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Abstract
<p>Objective: To investigate the effects of hearing aid (HA) use in elderly persons with hearing loss living in a long-term care facility.</p><p></p><p>Subjects: A total of 48 persons with hearing loss admitted to a single long-term care facility were randomly allocated to two groups: a hearing aid group (age [y], 84±7.5; hearing threshold, 47±13dB; MMSE score, 16±7.5) and a control group (age [y], 84±7.4; hearing threshold, 45±14dB; MMSE score, 17±7.2)</p><p></p><p>Methods: The trial period was 4 months. The subjects were evaluated by MMSE prior to being given a HA and again after 3 months of HA use. Speech-language-hearing therapists (ST) observed the changes brought about by the HA use.</p><p></p><p>Results: According to the pattern of use of the HA, the subjects of the hearing aid group were divided into 6 subgroups, as follows: consistent use group, extended use group, fluctuating use group,low use group and non-use group. Of the 48 subjects, 18 felt some change of their own in their hearing with HA use. Behavioral changes were recognized in 18 subjects by the ST, and in five subjects by the caregiver staff. No significant changes of the MMSE scores were observed in the subjects.</p><p></p><p>Conclusion: The trial revealed no significant effects of HA use on the cognitive state of the subjects. For more precise clarification of the effects of HA use in the elderly, a similar trial must be conducted in elderly persons living in their own homes.</p>
Journal
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- AUDIOLOGY JAPAN
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AUDIOLOGY JAPAN 61 (1), 90-96, 2018-02-28
Japan Audiological Society
