Hearing Help-Seeking, Hearing Device Uptake and Hearing Health Outcomes in Individuals With Subclinical Hearing Loss: A Systematic Review
International Journal of Audiology
Frisby, C., Oosthuizen, I., et al. (2024).
International Journal of Audiology, Advanced online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2024.2311660.
This systematic review investigates client perspects on hearing help-seeking, hearing device uptake, and hearing health in individuals with subclinical hearing loss (i.e., those who experience hearing difficulties despite presenting with pure tone average less than or equal to 25 dB). This review also examines the effects of hearing device use on outcomes (e.g., self-reported hearing loss, speech testing) for these individuals.
Not stated
From database inception to August 22, 2023
Published, peer-reviewed primary studies. Excludes reviews, discussion papers, dissertations/theses, conference papers, and pre-prints.
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Individuals with subclinical hearing loss (HL) self-reported choosing to seek audiological help due to factors such as hearing difficulty in noise, poor performance on speech in noise tests, sense of hearing difficulty, personal distress, minimization of hearing loss, and a greater sense of illness. Self-perceived hearing difficulty predicted help-seeking rather than clinical diagnosis of HL.<br /><br />Limitations included the lack of consistent terminology and reporting, limited follow-up periods, and small sample sizes. Additional research using controlled study designs is needed.
Hearing devices (e.g., hearables, hearing aids, personal FM systems) significantly improved auditory, communication, and health outcomes in individuals with subclinical hearing loss (HL). Individuals reported reduced self-perceived hearing difficulty, reduced stigma, and improved auditory processing, listening effort, and speech understanding. Reported barriers to using hearing devices included discomfort, limited self-perceived benefit, stigma, and high costs.<br /><br />
<p>Limitations included the lack of consistent terminology and reporting, limited follow-up periods, and small sample sizes. Additional research using controlled study designs is needed.</p>
