Individuals with near-normal audiograms but perceived hearing difficulties can achieve aided outcomes on par with those of peers with mild hearing loss

OBJECTIVE: Individuals with near-normal audiograms can experience hearing difficulties and could therefore benefit from hearing aids (HAs). The current study examined self-reported hearing difficulties, before and after HA provision, in a clinical sample tested as part of the Danish "Better hEAring Rehabilitation" (BEAR) project.

DESIGN: Self-reported hearing abilities were assessed using the 12-item Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ12) and compared before and after HA intervention. International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA) scores and daily HA usage data were also examined.

STUDY SAMPLE: New bilateral HA users who sought treatment at two large public hearing clinics were segregated into three groups according to their better-ear four-frequency pure-tone average hearing loss (PTA4): (1) normal hearing (N  = 51), (2) mild hearing loss (N  = 435), and (3) moderate hearing loss (N  = 430).

RESULTS: Pre-intervention SSQ12 scores were comparable for the three groups. The group with PTA4-based normal hearing showed aided outcomes comparable to those of the group with mild hearing loss, while the group with moderate hearing loss showed greater benefit.

CONCLUSIONS: PTA4-based normal hearing should not automatically preclude individuals from consideration for HA treatment. When assessing HA candidacy, self-reported hearing difficulties should also be considered.