The Effect of Consistent Hearing Aid Use on Quality of Life and Depression in Older Persons: From Objective Data Log Evidence

Abstract

Objectives: The aims of the present study were to figure out the relationship between the quality of life and depression mood and wearing time of hearing aids of older persons with age-related hearing loss using objective data log. Materials and Methods: Twenty-three older persons (13 female, 10 male; mean age 75.9±5.72) who were fitted with bilateral hearing aids due to age-related hearing loss were included in the study. All hearing aids had the data log feature. The World Health Organization Quality of Life – For Older (WHOQOL-OLD) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) were applied to subjects. Results: The Spearman test demonstrated a moderately and significant positive correlation between the hearing aids wearing time and WHOQOL-OLD (p = .038, r = .43). And also, there was a moderately and significant negative correlation between hearing aid using time and GDS (p = .034, r = -.44). Conclusion: We highlight that health is a state of physical and mental well-being, and we suggest that presbycusis management should include not just auditory treatments but also psychosocial therapy with a holistic approach. In the present study, the choice to focus on objective data logging in hearing aids rather than subjective self-reports and reveal the impact of consistent device use on quality of life and depression in older persons adds to the novelty of the field.

Keywords

• presbycusis
• age-related hearing loss
• datalogging
• quality of life
• depression.

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