Effectiveness of active communication education to improve hearing aid usage among Chilean older adults: a randomised clinical trial
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Date
2025
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Abstract
Objective: To assess the effectiveness of the Active Communication Education (ACE) program in improving usage, perceived benefit, and success with hearing aids (HAs).Design: A multicentre, double-blind, randomised parallel design clinical trial with masked outcome assessments was conducted at primary healthcare centres. Participants were randomised into either an intervention group (ACE) or a control group (social intervention). The primary outcome was HAs usage (question 1 of IOI-HA) and secondary outcomes were perceived benefit (question 2 of IOI-HA) and success with HAs (usage for at least 1 hour/day as per question 1 of IOI-HA and at least moderate perceived benefit as per question 2 of IOI-HA). Data collection occurred before, right after, and at 6 and 12 months following the intervention.Study sample: 114 older adults who use HAs.Results: The intervention group significantly increased HAs usage compared to baseline right after the intervention, as well as at 6- and 12-month follow-ups, in comparison to the control group. Secondary outcomes also showed improvements at all follow-up measurements, although these were less consistent.Conclusions: The ACE program is an effective strategy for enhancing HAs usage among older adults, with improvements that are sustainable over time.
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Keywords
Age-related hearing loss, Aural rehabilitation, Active communication education, Group intervention, Adult otolaryngolog