The influence of hearing aid in quality of life of the elderly

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the effects of the hearing aids over quality of life and hearing in older adults with hearing impairment. METHODS: The study included 50 older adults, 29 women and 12 men, aged over 60 years old. They were divided into groups: G1 - Intervention Group, G2 - Control Group. The tests HHIE-s, MMSE and WHOQOL Breef were applied, before the use of hearing aid and 12 weeks after. RESULTS: We observed a significant improvement in analysis of the scores of the HHIE-s after the use of hearing aids - G1. The analysis of MMSE showed statistically significant differences, comparing the two groups. In the test WHOQOL Breef quality of life showed a difference only in the physical dominance, compared with seniors who do not use hearing amplification. CONCLUSION: Through self-evaluation questionnaires, it was possible to confirm the benefits of the hearing aids for the users, who became less conscious of their hearing incapacity.