Title: Evaluation of interactive videos for enhancing benefit for new hearing aid users
Funder: Department of Health (England)

Abstract: Background There are currently 9m people in the UK who have a hearing loss. Of the 2m people with hearing aids (HAs), about one-quarter (0.6m) do not wear them. Hearing loss results in communication difficulties, which can lead to lack of confidence, social withdrawal and isolation. Recent Department of Health waiting time targets have led Audiology services to implement strategies that often result in reduced patient-audiologist contact time. This may exacerbate non-use of HAs, thus reduce HA benefit and quality of life. For many patients, difficulties that occur post-HA fitting can be simply remedied if they knew what they needed to do. Interactive videos have been shown to enhance learning and motivation in health contexts and increase satisfaction and compliance with treatments. Aims Question: Does interactive audio-visual information provided by multi-media formats supplement information provided by audiologists at the time of the hearing aid fitting, resulting in enhanced benefit and use for first-time hearing aid patients? (i)To develop an interactive series of 10 short (e.g. 2-3 minutes) video tutorials that provide a broad range of auditory rehabilitation advice and information, which is accessible to the patients and their families via DVD or the internet . (ii)To establish the take-up of the interactive videos and patient compliance with using them. (iii)To assess how well the patient uses their HAs and understands general principles of hearing tactics. (iv) To assess the benefits and cost-effectiveness of the video intervention in new hearing aid patients. Plan of Investigation A series of easy-to-use, interactive video tutorials on effective hearing aid (HA) use and communication will be developed for home use and delivered via DVD through television or computer, or the internet. The interactive videos (IVs) will be developed in active collaboration with patients (i.e. HA users as well as those who do not use their HAs) and Audiology professionals. A randomised controlled trial of 170 first-time HA users will evaluate these IVs using outcome measures to assess HA use, benefit and satisfaction, understanding of HAs and how to use them, and effective communication. Group 1 (n=85) will have the standard HA fitting appointment offered routinely. Group 2 (n=85) will have the same standard HA fitting appointment plus the IV tutorials. Potential Impact The vision is that interactive videos (IVs) will be incorporated into the standard management plan for hearing aid (HA) patients in the NHS.The IVs will supplement standard rehabilitation advice and information given to new HA users about how to use their HAs and communicate effectively. It is anticipated that this will encourage greater HA use, increase patient benefit and satisfaction, and result in improved interpersonal and social communication and quality of life. There will be an additional economic impact resulting from the monetary cost per patient journey (typically £300) being wasted when hearing aids are not worn (approx. £180m).The IVs will reinforce information received from the audiologist, enhance knowledge and enable self-assessment of progress with HAs and hearing tactics.


Research activity codes: 7.1 INDIVIDUAL CARE NEEDS
Health categories: EAR