Cho Joshua W, Tandadjaja Olivia, Henriks Charlie, Jamal Malaika, Hori Kaitlin, Feier Joel, Russel Ziphron, Lawrence Ethan, Greene Nicole, Choi Janet S
College of Osteopathic Medicine California Health Sciences University Clovis California USA.
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles California USA.
OTO Open. 2025 May 21;9(2):e70131. doi: 10.1002/oto2.70131. eCollection 2025 Apr-Jun.
To analyze public perceptions of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids through sentiment and thematic analysis of online consumer reviews and their changes over time.
Sentiment and thematic analysis.
Online reviews from third-party and product websites.
All English online consumer reviews posted between 2016 and 2024 for OTC hearing aids (83 models) were recorded (n = 21,727). Sentiment analysis was performed using Valence Aware Dictionary and Sentiment Reasoner (VADER), a rule-based sentiment analysis tool incorporating natural language processing. VADER provides scores for each review ranging from -1 (most negative), 0 (neutral), to 1 (most positive). Additional thematic analysis was performed for the top 100 most positive, neutral, and negative reviews (n = 300).
Overall, mean (SD) VADER sentiment score of online reviews was generally positive at 0.587 (0.411). Multivariable regression analysis showed that higher VADER scores were associated with higher-priced and behind-the-ear (BTE) type hearing aids. Although there was a significant increase in a number of reviews after the Food and Drug Administration's new establishment of the OTC hearing aid category in 2022, the mean sentiment scores slightly decreased ( =-.10, [95%CI: -0.12 to -0.09]). Thematic analysis revealed that positive sentiments highlighted the affordability and time-saving benefits of OTC hearing aids as alternatives to prescription models. Negative sentiments centered on sound quality, challenges with customer service, and inadequate amplification for those with severe hearing loss.
Customers generally viewed OTC hearing aids positively, while mixed experiences were present. When used as indicated for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss, OTC hearing aids may offer a viable alternative to prescription devices, improving accessibility and affordability.
通过对在线消费者评论进行情感和主题分析，分析公众对非处方（OTC）助听器的看法及其随时间的变化。
情感和主题分析。
来自第三方和产品网站的在线评论。
记录2016年至2024年期间发布的所有关于OTC助听器（83种型号）的英文在线消费者评论（n = 21727）。使用基于规则的情感分析工具Valence Aware Dictionary and Sentiment Reasoner（VADER）进行情感分析，该工具结合了自然语言处理。VADER为每条评论提供从-1（最负面）、0（中性）到1（最正面）的分数。对排名前100的最正面、中性和负面评论（n = 300）进行了额外的主题分析。
总体而言，在线评论的平均（标准差）VADER情感得分普遍为正，为0.587（0.411）。多变量回归分析表明，较高的VADER得分与价格较高的耳背式（BTE）助听器相关。尽管在2022年美国食品药品监督管理局新设立OTC助听器类别后评论数量显著增加，但平均情感得分略有下降（=-0.10，[95%置信区间：-0.12至-0.09]）。主题分析显示，积极情绪突出了OTC助听器作为处方型号替代品的可承受性和节省时间的好处。消极情绪集中在音质、客户服务挑战以及对重度听力损失患者放大不足上。
客户总体上对OTC助听器持积极看法，但也存在不同的体验。对于轻度至中度听力损失的成年人，按说明使用时，OTC助听器可能是处方设备的可行替代品，提高了可及性和可承受性。
