Perception of hearing status, communication, and hearing aids among socially active older individuals.

Objective: This study evaluated the accuracy of the self-perception of auditory status among socially active older non-hearing aid users. Their perception of their own communication proficiency and hearing aids was also assessed.

Methods: Thirty participants were asked if they thought they had hearing loss, and their auditory sensitivity was determined. A questionnaire was administered to evaluate their feelings about hearing aids and their own communication status.

Results: Sixty-three (19 of 30) percent of the participants had audiometric hearing loss. Approximately 32% (6 of 19) of these participants were either unaware of their loss or were in denial. Individuals who reported hearing loss were more likely to report the perception of "people mumbling." Sixty percent of individuals who thought they had a hearing loss believed that other people knew they had a hearing loss, whereas only 13.3% of those who thought they did not have a loss believed that other people perceived them as being hearing impaired. Ninety-three percent of individuals believed that hearing aids were expensive.

Conclusions: Lack of awareness of hearing loss or denial of hearing loss is apparent even among some socially active individuals in spite of greater communication demands. Among socially active individuals, the perception of people mumbling is associated with acceptance of hearing loss. This perception is partly related to low audibility and intelligibility of sounds owing to hearing loss and may serve as an indicator of hearing handicap. Most socially active individuals are aware of hearing aids; however, even those who report hearing loss do not necessarily seek hearing aids.