Davis Ryan J, Lin Matthew, Ayo-Ajibola Oluwatobiloba, Ahn Diana D, Brown Payton A, Parsons John, Ho Tiffany F, Choi Janet S
Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
Department of Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
Laryngoscope. 2025 Jan;135(1):299-307. doi: 10.1002/lary.31689. Epub 2024 Aug 27.
The expansion of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids has raised inquiries regarding primary care physicians' (PCP) knowledge, perspective, and perceived roles. We aimed to understand PCP perspectives on OTC hearing aids via nationwide online surveys.
RedCap survey was distributed to PCPs via online forums and public mailing lists. Outcomes included PCPs' attitudes toward, perceived role surrounding, confidence managing, and knowledge of OTC hearing aids. Regression analyses were performed to identify associated factors including demographics and practice characteristics.
Cohort included 111 PCPs primarily working in non-rural (83.8%) outpatient academic medical centers (47.5%), with a mean (SD) of 16.9 (11.6) years practicing. Most reported unfamiliarity (61.3%) with OTC hearing aids but viewed them positively (91.9%). They often perceived themselves as poor sources of OTC hearing aid information (63.1%) but desired involvement (90.1%) and believed associated knowledge is important (98.2%). Rural practice environment was associated with less familiarity toward OTC hearing aids (β = -0.72, [95% CI -1.40 to -0.04]). Respondents answered 5.0 (2.4) of 10 OTC hearing aid knowledge questions correctly. Using 5-point Likert scale, participants reported most confidence recognizing signs/symptoms of hearing loss 3.71 (0.84), but less confidence educating 1.68 (0.96) about and determining candidacy 1.72 (1.05) for OTC hearing aids. Participants reported continuing medical education courses and published guidelines would effectively improve their OTC hearing aid knowledge.
PCPs displayed positive attitudes toward OTC hearing aids and valued involvement. Addressing unfamiliarity/knowledge gaps surrounding OTC hearing aids through courses and published guidelines may help clarify misconceptions and promote hearing health care.
NA Laryngoscope, 135:299-307, 2025.
非处方（OTC）助听器的推广引发了对初级保健医生（PCP）的知识、观点及感知角色的质疑。我们旨在通过全国性在线调查了解初级保健医生对非处方助听器的看法。
通过在线论坛和公共邮件列表向初级保健医生分发RedCap调查问卷。结果包括初级保健医生对非处方助听器的态度、感知角色、管理信心及知识。进行回归分析以确定相关因素，包括人口统计学和执业特征。
研究队列包括111名主要在非农村地区（83.8%）的门诊学术医疗中心工作（47.5%）的初级保健医生，平均执业年限为16.9（11.6）年。大多数人表示不熟悉（61.3%）非处方助听器，但对其持积极看法（91.9%）。他们常认为自己是非处方助听器信息的不良来源（63.1%），但希望参与其中（90.1%），并认为相关知识很重要（98.2%）。农村执业环境与对非处方助听器的熟悉程度较低相关（β=-0.72，[95%置信区间-1.40至-0.04]）。受访者在10个非处方助听器知识问题中正确回答了5.0（2.4）个。使用5点李克特量表，参与者报告在识别听力损失体征/症状方面最有信心，得分为3.71（0.84），但在对非处方助听器进行教育方面信心较低，得分为1.68（0.96），在确定非处方助听器候选资格方面信心也较低，得分为1.72（1.05）。参与者报告继续医学教育课程和已发表的指南将有效提高他们对非处方助听器的知识。
初级保健医生对非处方助听器持积极态度并重视参与。通过课程和已发表的指南解决围绕非处方助听器的不熟悉/知识差距可能有助于澄清误解并促进听力保健。
无 喉镜，135:299 - 307，2025年。
