Brooks D N
Regional Audiology Unit, Withington Hospital, Manchester, UK.
Br J Audiol. 1994 Apr;28(2):91-8. doi: 10.3109/03005369409077919.
Questioning potential users of National Health Service behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids indicated that for some the perception of stigma associated with visible aids is a powerful deterrent to acceptance and use. To investigate further the role of stigma in hearing aid acceptance, 184 individuals who had been fitted with NHS BTE hearing aids and who had also purchased in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids through a discounted price scheme at Withington Hospital were asked why they had made the decision to purchase, and what they perceived as the benefits of the ITE aid relative to the BTE model. The primary factor both in terms of reason for purchase and perceived benefit was the greater cosmetic acceptability of the smaller aids. Comfort in wear was the second perceived benefit. Sound quality was ranked only third. Ease of use with spectacles was the second most common reason given for purchase. These studies suggest that in a small but significant percentage of hearing aid candidates the perception of stigma is a powerful deterrent to take-up and use. This perception needs to be recognized and addressed if the most effective service is to be provided to the hearing impaired.
对英国国民医疗服务体系（NHS）耳背式（BTE）助听器的潜在用户进行询问后发现，对一些人来说，与可见式助听器相关的耻辱感是接受和使用的强大阻碍。为了进一步调查耻辱感在助听器接受度中的作用，研究人员询问了184名已佩戴NHS BTE助听器且还通过威辛顿医院的折扣价格计划购买了定制式（ITE）助听器的人，他们为何决定购买，以及他们认为ITE助听器相对于BTE型号的优势是什么。无论是在购买原因还是感知到的优势方面，主要因素都是较小的助听器在外观上更易被接受。佩戴舒适度是第二个被感知到的优势。音质仅排名第三。佩戴眼镜时使用方便是购买的第二大常见原因。这些研究表明，在一小部分但比例可观的助听器候选人群中，耻辱感是接受和使用助听器的强大阻碍。如果要为听力受损者提供最有效的服务，就需要认识并解决这种观念。
