What does this research mean for the field?

Audiologists' selection of hearing aid technology levels is driven by patient factors, audiologist factors, hearing aid characteristics, and affordability, resulting in practice patterns that either vary recommendations based on patient characteristics or universally recommend premium technology. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.CHALLENGES_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To explore the clinical decision-making processes audiologists use when selecting hearing aid technology levels, with an emphasis on the role of a patient's auditory lifestyle.

September 15, 2026American Journal of Audiology

Hearing Aid Selection by Audiologists: A Qualitative Exploration of Clinical Decision Making

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Authors

RPRachael Pennock APAmelia E. Van Pelt PSPamela de Souza

Discussion

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Overview

Qualitative study reveals divergent technology selection strategies in clinical audiologists, highlighting the need for standardized evidence-based guidelines.

Key Points

To explore the clinical decision-making processes audiologists use when selecting hearing aid technology levels, with an emphasis on the role of a patient's auditory lifestyle.
Conducted semistructured interviews with clinical audiologists (N=10) with varying years of professional experience and patient caseloads.
Analyzed interview transcripts using an iterative inductive qualitative content analysis approach to identify recurrent codes, themes, and overarching practice patterns.
Extracted 18 distinct codes categorized into four main themes: patient factors (including auditory lifestyle), audiologist factors, hearing aid characteristics, and affordability.
Identified two contrasting clinical practice patterns: tailoring technology-level recommendations according to individual patient characteristics versus routinely recommending premium technology to all patients.

Cite This Study

Pennock et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa913609013453be30a12fc https://doi.org/10.1044/2026_aja-26-00063

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September 15, 2026American Journal of Audiology

Hearing Aid Selection by Audiologists: A Qualitative Exploration of Clinical Decision Making

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

RPRachael Pennock APAmelia E. Van Pelt PSPamela de Souza

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Qualitative study reveals divergent technology selection strategies in clinical audiologists, highlighting the need for standardized evidence-based guidelines.

Key Points

To explore the clinical decision-making processes audiologists use when selecting hearing aid technology levels, with an emphasis on the role of a patient's auditory lifestyle.
Conducted semistructured interviews with clinical audiologists (N=10) with varying years of professional experience and patient caseloads.
Analyzed interview transcripts using an iterative inductive qualitative content analysis approach to identify recurrent codes, themes, and overarching practice patterns.
Extracted 18 distinct codes categorized into four main themes: patient factors (including auditory lifestyle), audiologist factors, hearing aid characteristics, and affordability.
Identified two contrasting clinical practice patterns: tailoring technology-level recommendations according to individual patient characteristics versus routinely recommending premium technology to all patients.

Cite This Study

Pennock et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa913609013453be30a12fc https://doi.org/10.1044/2026_aja-26-00063

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