Siggaard Lene Dahl, Jacobsen Henrik, Hougaard Dan Dupont, Hoegsbro Morten
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery and Audiology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.
Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
Int J Audiol. 2025 Jan;64(1):25-34. doi: 10.1080/14992027.2023.2298506. Epub 2023 Dec 27.
To explore the impact of remote versus in-person ear-nose-and-throat (ENT) specialist screening before hearing treatment on self-reported hearing aid (HA) benefit and satisfaction among adult first-time HA users.
Participants were randomised to either remote or in-person ENT assessment before treatment initiation. Hearing ability, hearing quality, and treatment satisfaction were assessed pre- and post-HA treatment using the SSQ12, IOI-HA, and selected items from the 2021 Danish national Patient-Reported Experience Measures. Average daily HA usage was also recorded.
751 adult potential first-time HA users with self-reported hearing impairment were included; 501 participants were remotely assessed in private or public audiological clinics, and 250 control group participants were assessed in-person by private ENT specialists. Of the 658 participants who completed the entire trial, 454 received HAs.
No significant post-treatment HA benefit differences were found between groups. Remotely assessed HA recipients in private clinics expressed slightly higher staff and waiting time satisfaction. Participants with normal hearing and mild/moderate hearing loss reported higher pre-treatment hearing ability and quality. No significant difference in average daily HA usage was observed between groups.
Findings suggest that remote screening does not compromise patient-reported HA benefit and satisfaction when compared to in-person screening.
探讨在听力治疗前，远程与面对面的耳鼻喉科（ENT）专家筛查对成年首次使用助听器（HA）者自我报告的助听器益处和满意度的影响。
参与者在开始治疗前被随机分为接受远程或面对面的耳鼻喉科评估。在HA治疗前后，使用SSQ12、IOI-HA以及2021年丹麦国家患者报告体验量表中的选定项目评估听力能力、听力质量和治疗满意度。还记录了HA的平均每日使用情况。
纳入751名自我报告有听力障碍的成年潜在首次使用HA者；501名参与者在私立或公立听力诊所接受远程评估，250名对照组参与者由私立耳鼻喉科专家进行面对面评估。在完成整个试验的658名参与者中，454人接受了HA。
两组之间在治疗后HA益处方面未发现显著差异。在私立诊所接受远程评估的HA接受者对工作人员和等待时间的满意度略高。听力正常和轻度/中度听力损失的参与者在治疗前的听力能力和质量较高。两组之间在HA平均每日使用情况方面未观察到显著差异。
研究结果表明，与面对面筛查相比，远程筛查不会影响患者报告的HA益处和满意度。
