Utilisation of Hearing Aids Issued by the National Health Service

This paper presents the findings from an interview survey of 300 people issued with NHS aids in Glasgow over a period of five years. Data are given on the extent of use (86% were using their aid); the range of activities (used most for meetings, etc., and least when travelling); satisfaction (highest when talking to one person); reason for dissatisfaction (background noise was most important); efficiency of the aid (lower in persons who had had their aid more than four years); and the use of services. Overall a majority made either heavy or moderate use of their aids but a substantial minority fail to achieve a satisfactory level of use or maintenance and the service might need to think in terms of continuing surveillance; difficulties in attending the clinic suggested a case for considering some form of domiciliary service.