Assessment of the ACE Program for Rehabilitation in Hearing Loss

Assessment of the "Active Communication Education" Program for Audiological Rehabilitation in Patients With Hearing Loss Users of Hearing Aids

Introduction: Hearing loss is a prevalent condition in elderly population. However, the low adherence to hearing aids is a fact, with an estimation of use of 50 per cent. In 2007 there was designed a rehabilitation program called ACE, which aims to improve rehabilitation directed to hearing aids users. The study hypothesis is that a counseling program will improve adherence to hearing aids in elderly population. Objective: To evaluate the utility of a standardized counselling program in patients with hearing loss. Material and Methods: A before/after trial will be carried out, approved by the Hospital ethics - committee. Patients with 65 years and older with hearing loss diagnosed by pure tone audiometry will be included. To assess adherence we will use the IOI-HA scale.

Introduction: Hearing loss is a prevalent condition in elderly population. However, the low adherence to hearing aids is a fact, with an estimation of use of 50 per cent. In Chile, hearing aids are provided by the State for elderly population. In 2007 there was designed a rehabilitation program called Active Communication Education (ACE), that is a semistructured rehabilitation program for people with hearing loss, which aims to improve rehabilitation of hearing aids users by a strategy based on problem solution. The study hypothesis is that a counseling program will improve adherence to hearing aids in elderly population. Objective: To evaluate the utility of a standardized counseling program in patients with hearing loss. Material and Methods: A before/after clinical trial will be carried out, approved by the Hospital ethics - committee. Patients with 65 years and older diagnosed by pure tone audiometry who are beneficiaries of the Public GES hearing loss programme and receive a hearing aid will be included. The subjects will be randomized in two branches: Active branch, subject to the rehabilitation program; and passive branch, which was control, with usual management (no intervention). To assess adherence we will use the IOI-HA scale.

The program called Active Communication Education (ACE), that is a semistructured rehabilitation program for people with hearing loss, which aims to improve rehabilitation of hearing aids users by a strategy based on problem solution.

Participants in this arm will not receive intervention during the study protocol time. After the completion of the protocol, they will receive the same intervention that the intervention group, meaning the ACE program intervention.

Inclusion Criteria: Bilateral hearing loss equal or higher than 40 decibels Age 65 years old or more Agree to be included in the study Have a relative to go to the intervention with the subject Exclusion Criteria: Severe organic brain impairment Physical or mental incapacity to understand the study questionnaires Structural pathology of the ear that produces hearing loss as chronic otitis media, ear canal tumor, or tumor of the cerebellopontine angle