Effectiveness of active communication education to improve hearing aid usage among Chilean older adults: a randomised clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effectiveness of the Active Communication Education (ACE) program in improving usage, perceived benefit, and success with hearing aids (HAs).

DESIGN

A multicentre, double-blind, randomised parallel design clinical trial with masked outcome assessments was conducted at primary healthcare centres. Participants were randomised into either an intervention group (ACE) or a control group (social intervention). The primary outcome was HAs usage (question 1 of IOI-HA) and secondary outcomes were perceived benefit (question 2 of IOI-HA) and success with HAs (usage for at least 1 hour/day as per question 1 of IOI-HA and at least moderate perceived benefit as per question 2 of IOI-HA). Data collection occurred before, right after, and at 6 and 12 months following the intervention.

STUDY SAMPLE

114 older adults who use HAs.

RESULTS

The intervention group significantly increased HAs usage compared to baseline right after the intervention, as well as at 6- and 12-month follow-ups, in comparison to the control group. Secondary outcomes also showed improvements at all follow-up measurements, although these were less consistent.

CONCLUSIONS

The ACE program is an effective strategy for enhancing HAs usage among older adults, with improvements that are sustainable over time.