RP205 - Development of the Hearing Aid Feature Importance Evaluation Questionnaire

Abstract:
Modern hearing aids can vary widely in digital signal processing (DSP) and non-signal processing (non-DSP) features such as accessories or connectivity. Due to device complexity, the hearing aid selection process has become an increasingly intricate tax, which may impact opportunities for patient-oriented hearing aid selection, warranting the development of a modern hearing aid selection questionnaire. In this podium, the development of a novel questionnaire called the Hearing Aid Feature Importance Evaluation (HAFIE) will be described. This questionnaire provides a structured, evidence-based methodology for hearing aid selection, thereby allowing clinicians to patient-oriented importance ratings for basic and advanced hearing aid features.

Summary:
This podium will describe the development of a hearing aid selection questionnaire, which used a patient-oriented methodology to define the theoretical framework which underpins items in the questionnaire.

Modern hearing aids can vary widely in digital signal processing (DSP) and non-signal processing (non-DSP) features such as accessories or connectivity. The complexity and availability of these features can differ between opposite ends of the technology spectrum, and are relevant to patient preference (Landsbergen & Dreschler; Saleh et al., 2021). Because of device complexity, the hearing aid selection process has become an increasingly complex tax, which may impact opportunities for patient-oriented hearing aid selection.

This abundance of choice in modern hearing aid features, along with a lack of a recent, evidence-based tool for use in hearing aid selection motivated the current study. Currently, some questionnaires facilitate selection: The Hearing Aid Selection Profile (HASP; Jacobson et al., 2001) and the Characteristics of Amplification Tool (COAT; Sandridge & Newman, 2006). Both collect patient input regarding hearing aid use including perceived communication needs, cosmetics, cost, and technological sophistication. However, neither includes features spanning the technologies in current hearing aids that differentiate technology levels. In summary, these questionnaires can support a patient-oriented hearing aid selection, but may not measure patient preferences for specific, modern hearing aid features that relate to overall preference.

In this study, a novel questionnaire called the Hearing Aid Feature Importance Evaluation (HAFIE) was developed. The aim of developing this questionnaire was to provide a structured, evidence-based methodology for hearing aid selection, thereby allowing clinicians to patient-oriented importance ratings for basic and advanced hearing aid features.

Initial questionnaire items were designed using the statements generated in a concept mapping investigation of the drivers of user preference between hearing aids at higher and lower technology levels (Saleh et al., 2021). A series of focus group interviews were conducted with experienced hearing care professionals (n=10) to assess these items and gather suggestions regarding further questionnaire design and content. The items were modified based on the focus group results and a literature scan of currently available hearing aid features. Validation of this initial 34-item version of the questionnaire was conducted using an anonymous online survey tool (Qualtrics). Respondents were adults self-reporting hearing difficulties (N = 218, median age = 48 years). Exploratory factor analysis was used to assess the factor structure of the dataset, using principal axis factoring and an Oblimin rotation. Three factors were identified, dividing the hearing aid features into the subscales: “Advanced connectivity & streaming”, “Physical features & usability”, and “Sound quality & intelligibility”. These were found to have an overall correspondence to the concept mapping themes, further highlighting the value of patient input in the development process.