Relation of Listening Effort and Listening related Fatigue with Hearing Aid Benefit

Abstract

Background: Individuals with sensorineural hearing loss often experience increased listening effort and listening-related fatigue. The use of amplification devices can significantly reduce both listening effort and listening related fatigue. However, studies examining the relationship between these measures and the benefits of hearing aids are scarce. So, the present study aimed to explore the relationship of pre-amplification listening effort and listening related fatigue with measures of hearing aid benefit. Aim: The present study aimed to compare and explore the relationship between listening effort, listening related fatigue and hearing aid benefit in adults who use hearing aids over a period of one month. Method: A total of ten participants in the age range of 21-55 years, with mild to moderately severe sensorineural loss, with no prior experience of hearing aid use were included in the study. Dual task paradigm to measure listening effort, VFS-A 40 questionnaire to measure listening related fatigue, APHAB and SNR-50 to measure hearing aid benefit were administered on the day of fitting the and after one month of using hearing aids. Result: The results revealed a significant increase in the score of dual task paradigm and APHAB, and a significant decrease in scores of VFS-A 40 and SNR-50. The correlation analyses revealed no significant correlation between listening effort, listening related fatigue and measures of hearing aid benefit. Conclusion: The results of the study indicated that listening effort, listening related fatigue and measures of hearing aid benefit over a period of one month were not related.