Keidser Gitte, Matthews Nicole, Convery Elizabeth
National Acoustic Laboratories, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Hearing Cooperative Research Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Am J Audiol. 2019 Dec 16;28(4):993-1005. doi: 10.1044/2019_AJA-19-0022. Epub 2019 Nov 26.
Purpose The aim of this study was to examine how hearing aid candidates perceive user-driven and app-controlled hearing aids and the effect these concepts have on traditional hearing health care delivery. Method Eleven adults (3 women, 8 men), recruited among 60 participants who had completed a research study evaluating an app-controlled, self-fitting hearing aid for 12 weeks, participated in a semistructured interview. Participants were over 55 years of age and had varied experience with hearing aids and smartphones. A template analysis was applied to data. Results Five themes emerged from the interviews: (a) prerequisites to the successful implementation of user-driven and app-controlled technologies, (b) benefits and advantages of user-driven and app-controlled technologies, (c) barriers to the acceptance and use of user-driven and app-controlled technologies, (d) beliefs that age is a significant factor in how well people will adopt new technology, and (e) consequences that flow from the adoption of user-driven and app-controlled technologies. Specifically, suggested benefits of the technology included fostering empowerment and providing cheaper and more discrete options, while challenges included lack of technological self-efficacy among older adults. Training and support were emphasized as necessary for successful adaptation and were suggested to be a focus of audiologic services in the future. Conclusion User perceptions of user-driven and app-controlled hearing technologies challenge the audiologic profession to provide adequate support and training for use of the technology and manufacturers to make the technology more accessible to older people.
目的 本研究旨在探讨助听器候选使用者如何看待用户驱动及应用程序控制的助听器，以及这些概念对传统听力保健服务的影响。方法 在60名完成了一项评估应用程序控制的自适应性助听器为期12周研究的参与者中招募了11名成年人（3名女性，8名男性），参与了一次半结构化访谈。参与者年龄超过55岁，有使用助听器和智能手机的不同经历。对数据应用了模板分析。结果 访谈中出现了五个主题：（a）成功实施用户驱动和应用程序控制技术的先决条件，（b）用户驱动和应用程序控制技术的益处和优势，（c）接受和使用用户驱动和应用程序控制技术的障碍，（d）认为年龄是人们采用新技术程度的一个重要因素的信念，以及（e）采用用户驱动和应用程序控制技术带来的后果。具体而言，该技术的建议益处包括增强自主权并提供更便宜、更隐蔽的选择，而挑战包括老年人缺乏技术自我效能感。培训和支持被强调为成功适应所必需，并建议作为未来听力服务的一个重点。结论 用户对用户驱动和应用程序控制的听力技术的看法促使听力专业人员为技术使用提供充分支持和培训，并促使制造商使该技术对老年人更易获取。
