Purpose: This study examines the effects of the pandemic on hearing aid experiences from the perspectives of audiologists and patients, as well as communication challenges faced by both users and non-users of hearing aids.
Materials and Methods: The study consisted of two phases: a longitudinal study examining the services provided by audiologists during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and after the first vaccination dose. The second phase involved a survey of 120 elderly individuals with hearing loss, divided into hearing aid users and non-users for assessing communication challenges. Data was collected from comprehensive audiology clinics using a series of checklists.
Results: Analysis of the frequency of services related to hearing aids revealed that during the peak period, the majority of visits were for acquiring batteries and hearing aids, while fewer visits were for fitting and fine-tuning the devices. After vaccination the pattern was changed. In the second phase, significant differences were observed between the hearing aid users and non-users with regards to their ability to comprehend speech while wearing mask, communicating at a safe distance, and following TV news.
Conclusions: The distribution of requested services differed during the peak period and the post-vaccination period. There was a noticeable increase in the purchase and fitting of hearing aids after vaccination. However, patients encountered difficulties due to the limited availability of tele-audiology services and delayed services from hearing aid companies. The benefits of hearing aids were impacted by the pandemic as many people did not seek adjustments for their devices.
Keywords: Audiology services; COVID-19; Tele-audiology; hearing aids; hearing loss.
People who receive hearing aids without requiring further adjustments may experience difficulties in speech perception and auditory function in situations where communication barriers are increased, such as during a pandemic.The most significant challenge identified by audiologists is that people prefer in-person care. However, from the patients’ perspective, the lack of tele-audiology services is the most important challenge for hearing health services. Therefore, it is crucial to focus on the development of tele-audiology in developing countries. Its implementation is as essential as training audiologists.The pandemic and its preventive measures have affected the benefits of using hearing aids, with many people not seeking the most effective adjustments in this condition.