Hearing-aid use and its determinants in the UK National Health Service: a cross-sectional study at the Royal Surrey County Hospital.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the rate of and factors contributing to non-adherence to hearing-aid use in the UK National Health Service. DESIGN: A cross-sectional postal questionnaire survey. STUDY SAMPLE: A questionnaire, including the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids, was sent to all patients fitted with hearing aids at the Royal Surrey County Hospital between 2011 and 2012 (N = 1874). A total of 1023 questionnaires were completed and returned (response rate of 55%). RESULTS: A total of 29% of responders did not use their hearing aids on a regular basis (i.e. used them less than four hours per day). Non-regular use was more prevalent in new (40%) than in existing patients (11%). Factors that reduced the risk of non-regular use included bilateral versus unilateral amplification, and moderate or severe hearing loss in the better ear. 16% of responders fitted with bilateral amplification used only one of their hearing aids. CONCLUSIONS: The level of non-regular use of hearing aids in NHS found in this study was comparable to those for other countries. Additional support might be needed for patients at a higher risk of non-regular use.