Rahimi Vida, Tavanai Elham, Taghavi Seyyed Mohammad Reza, Khalili Mohammad Ehsan
Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Department of Communication Science & Disorders, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA.
Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol. 2025 Apr;20(3):652-662. doi: 10.1080/17483107.2024.2405557. Epub 2024 Oct 7.
This study examines the effects of the pandemic on hearing aid experiences from the perspectives of audiologists and patients, as well as communication challenges faced by both users and non-users of hearing aids. The study consisted of two phases: a longitudinal study examining the services provided by audiologists during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and after the first vaccination dose. The second phase involved a survey of 120 elderly individuals with hearing loss, divided into hearing aid users and non-users for assessing communication challenges. Data was collected from comprehensive audiology clinics using a series of checklists. Analysis of the frequency of services related to hearing aids revealed that during the peak period, the majority of visits were for acquiring batteries and hearing aids, while fewer visits were for fitting and fine-tuning the devices. After vaccination the pattern was changed. In the second phase, significant differences were observed between the hearing aid users and non-users with regards to their ability to comprehend speech while wearing mask, communicating at a safe distance, and following TV news. The distribution of requested services differed during the peak period and the post-vaccination period. There was a noticeable increase in the purchase and fitting of hearing aids after vaccination. However, patients encountered difficulties due to the limited availability of tele-audiology services and delayed services from hearing aid companies. The benefits of hearing aids were impacted by the pandemic as many people did not seek adjustments for their devices.
本研究从听力学家和患者的角度考察了疫情对助听器使用体验的影响，以及助听器使用者和非使用者所面临的沟通挑战。该研究包括两个阶段：一项纵向研究，考察了在新冠疫情高峰期和接种第一剂疫苗后听力学家提供的服务。第二阶段涉及对120名听力损失老年人的调查，这些老年人分为助听器使用者和非使用者，以评估沟通挑战。数据是通过一系列清单从综合听力诊所收集的。对与助听器相关服务频率的分析表明，在高峰期，大多数就诊是为了获取电池和助听器，而进行设备调试和微调的就诊较少。接种疫苗后模式发生了变化。在第二阶段，观察到助听器使用者和非使用者在佩戴口罩时理解言语、在安全距离进行交流以及收听电视新闻方面的能力存在显著差异。高峰期和接种疫苗后时期所要求服务的分布有所不同。接种疫苗后助听器的购买和调试明显增加。然而，由于远程听力服务的可用性有限以及助听器公司的服务延迟，患者遇到了困难。疫情影响了助听器的益处，因为许多人没有对其设备进行调试。
