Help-seeking behaviour of hearing-impaired persons aged > or = 55 years; effect of complaints, significant others and hearing aid image.

OBJECTIVE

To determine factors influencing help-seeking behaviour in hearing-impaired persons aged > or = 55 years

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study comprised 1,419 persons (480 females, 939 males) aged > or = 55 years who participated voluntarily in a driving test. Pure-tone audiometry was performed in all subjects. Participants without a hearing aid with an average hearing loss of > or = 30 dB in the better ear for the frequencies 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz were asked how they perceived their hearing by means of a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire provided insight into why some hearing-impaired people seek help from a general practitioner (GP) and others do not. Four factors were examined.

RESULTS

A total of 483/1.419 (34%) participants tested had a hearing loss exceeding 30 dB. Fewer than half of these had visited their GP with complaints of hearing impairment. Of those who had not sought help from a GP, 57% nevertheless judged their hearing as poor. Social pressure exerted by significant others was less in the non-consulters group. Hearing aid image did not differ significantly between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

The help-seeking behaviour of hearing-impaired elderly people is related to the degree of hearing disability and the social pressure exerted by significant others as well as the willingness to try hearing aids.