Questionnaire on the “Knowledge and use of ear molds” by the hearing aid users

Abstract

Background Information: Ear molds are a part of hearing instrument made up of silicon which connects the hearing aid to the user's ear canal. These ear molds act as reservoir to collect the sound from the hearing aid. However, the knowledge about this is very less among the users. Professionals forget that the satisfactory usage of the hearing aid also depends on the ear mould which is always recommended for those individual who are fitted with the hearing aid. Aim and Objectives: The aim of the current study is to develop and standardize a questionnaire on the 'Knowledge and use of ear moulds' by the hearing aid users. Also, to compare the scores of the questionnaire between two groups who are divided with respect to different period of usage of ear molds. Materials and Methods: A total of sixty participants, were divided into two groups, as those individuals who used the ear moulds with hearing aid only for a period of 6 months and more than 6 months. The developed questionnaire consists of 20 questions with four choices for response. Along with the developed questionnaire a 'Hearing Aid Users Questionnaire' (HAUQ) was also administered for correlation regarding satisfaction. Results and Conclusions: Independent t-test results reveled that there was significant difference in the scores between the groups of participants. There was positive correlation between the administered questionnaires. Satisfaction is crucial to the whole hearing aid fitting process including ear mould fitting and its importance in audiology is evidenced by the fact that it is frequently included as a measure of outcome. This concludes that satisfaction is crucial to the whole hearing aid fitting process including ear mould fitting, knowledge on ear mould usage and care.