Experiences of hearing aid use among patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease dementia: A qualitative study

OBJECTIVES: Hearing aid usage supports communication and independence; however, many do not use their hearing aids. This study explored the experiences of hearing aid use in adults with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease. METHODS: Participants completed semi-structured interviews which...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Gregory, Sarah, Billings, Jo, Wilson, Danielle, Livingston, Gill, Schilder, Anne GM, Costafreda, Sergi G
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: SAGE Publications 2020
Materias:
Original Article
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7054731/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32166027
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/2050312120904572
Descripción
Sumario:OBJECTIVES: Hearing aid usage supports communication and independence; however, many do not use their hearing aids. This study explored the experiences of hearing aid use in adults with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease. METHODS: Participants completed semi-structured interviews which were analysed using thematic analysis. Ten people (six males, age range 75–86 years old) with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease who had been fitted with hearing aids were recruited to the study. RESULTS: We identified four major themes: (1) memory and other cognitive barriers to using hearing aids, (2) practical aspects of hearing aids, (3) benefits of hearing aids, and (4) ambivalence towards hearing aids. CONCLUSIONS: Participants perceived a significant impact of cognitive impairment on the experience of using hearing aids. This population may benefit from targeted strategies to support use of hearing aids. The findings from this study can inform future research to optimise use of hearing aids in this population.

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