Self-reported benefits of hearing aids in age related hearing loss

Introduction: Presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss, is a type of progressive and irreversible sensorineural hearing loss that primarily affects the high frequencies of the auditory spectrum. It is a multifactorial condition common in older adults, which can have a significant impact on quality of life, contributing to social isolation, depression, and even dementia. The importance of this lies in the impact on the mental, physical, and social health of patients; this can be crucial in mitigating adverse effects. The management of this condition mainly focuses on auditory rehabilitation and the use of devices, significantly improving communication and standard of living. Hearing aids are the first line of intervention for presbycusis. For those patients who have severe hearing loss where hearing aids are not effective, cochlear implants would be indicated. Material and methods: In this study, eighteen patients with presbycusis using bilateral hearing aids, who attended the Otorhinolaryngology service at the University Hospital Complex of Salamanca between September 2023 and August 2024, were selected. Demographic variables were collected, and patients underwent a free-field audiometry with hearing aids; an audiometry without hearing aids; a speech audiometry with hearing aids, and another without hearing aids. Additionally, two questionnaires were administered to these patients: THI (Tinnitus Handicap Inventory) and IOI-HA (International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids). Furthermore, another eighteen patients with Ménière's disease using hearing aids were selected as a second group, as these patients have a different type of hearing loss with different characteristics. Results: Two groups of 18 patients were selected (presbycusis and Ménière disease). Although audiometric thresholds were overall better in the Ménière´s group, patients with presbycusis showed superior speech recognition with hearing aids. The mean SRT was lower in the presbycusis group (50.55 ± 9.98 dB) compared to the Ménière’s group (57.22 ± 9.40 dB), with a mean difference of −6.67 dB (95 % CI: −13.23 to −0.11; p = 0.024). Discussion: In our sample, patients with presbycusis showed worse results in audiometry with and without hearing aids compared to the second group, patients with Ménière's disease. However, in speech audiometry, an opposite trend is observed. Despite poorer hearing, patients with presbycusis exhibit significantly better performance and understanding than the second group. In the tests performed, the score on the performance of hearing aids is significantly better in patients with presbycusis than in patients with Ménière's disease. Conclusion: With this study, we aim to suggest the importance of proper hearing aid adaptation.