Hearing Aids in Belgium: Health Technology Assessment
Beguin, C., Deggouj, N., et al. (2008).
Brussels (Belgium): Belgian Health Care Knowledge Centre (KCE), (KCE Reports 91C (D/2008/10.273/69)), i-172.
This hearing technology assessment includes a literature review that investigates the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of hearing aids and hearing aid features for adults who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Belgian Health Care Knowledge Centre (KCE)
1995-2007
Randomized controlled trials; randomized cross-over study design
9 (15 papers)
"In general, non-linear [hearing aids] were preferred to linear ones and digital [hearing aids] were preferred to analogue [hearing aids] although the evidence of benefit is very weak and most often only present through questionnaires and not through objective audiological tests" (p. ii).<br />
The currently available literature on the clinical effectiveness of hearing aids is insufficient to establish evidence-based recommendations, with the exception of improved hearing performance with directional microphones over omnidirectional microphones in certain listening situations.
