WHY SOME ELDERLY PEOPLE CANNOT USE THE HEARING AID

Özet

Introduction: This study aims to investigate why some patients over 65 years ofage cannot use their hearing aids.Materials and Method: Hospital records between January 2018 and April 2019identified 1,017 patients who received a hearing aid. Among them, 373 patientsover the age of 65 were included in the study. It was questioned that they did notuse the hearing aid.Results: The reasons for not using the hearing aid are as follows: 9 patientscouldnot distinguish sounds; 8 patients’ cheap devices were not efficient; 6 patientsshowed a negative image so as not to be mentioned as disabled ; 6 patients’ devicebattery runs out too quickly but use it as needd; 5 patients’ device is making noise;3 patients’ device often fails; 3 patients reported it giving them headache; 2 patientsfeltirritated and that it injured theirear; 28 patients did not participate in the hearingrehabilitation program and did not contact the seller company to make the technicalsettings of the device.Conclusion: Elderly patients complain that although they can hear voices,they have trouble understanding what the voices are saying, which are relatedbut separate issues. Before applying the device, the age of the patient should beconsidered. All the details about the use must be taught to the person initially. It isvery important to make technical adjustments depending on the software featuresof the device and routine control shouldbe included in the hearing rehabilitationprogram.