Parent and audiologist perspectives on personalised hearing loss simulations: implications for counselling and children's hearing aid use.

Abstract

Objective: To explore parent and audiologist perspectives on personalised hearing loss simulations in paediatric audiology, and to assess the impact of simulations on data-logged hearing aid use in children under 11.

Design: A mixed-methods retrospective review of anonymised clinical records following the introduction of a hearing loss simulator into standard care. Data included child age and hearing level, hearing aid datalogging, parents' responses to the simulations and questionnaires completed by audiologists.

Study sample: 85 records were reviewed. Datalogging was available for 52 children.

Results: Most parents opted to hear the simulation (94%), and nearly all found it helpful (97%), irrespective of their child's hearing level. The simulation offered parents insight beyond previous descriptors, modifying their understanding of their child's experience. It prompted conversations about emotions, behaviour, and hearing aid use. Audiologists felt simulations were helpful for parents but could lead to challenging conversations. Children's hours of hearing aid use did not change significantly after their parents heard the simulation.

Conclusions: Parents say that a personalised simulation of their child's hearing is helpful. The simulation is an effective counselling tool, acceptable to both parents and audiologists. However, sharing a simulation, did not increase daily hearing aid use in children.