Using e-health to support hearing aid users and non-hearing aid users with their hearing problems- HearSupport and HEAR-aware

Description

Abstract:
Emerging technological innovations coupled with increased connectivity are slowly paving the way for e-hearing health services. In this presentation, two e-health interventions will be highlighted: HearSupport and HEAR-aware. Both interventions are the result of public private partnerships.

HearSupport is an online support program for adult (aged 50+) hearing aid (HA) users and their communication partners. The program is offered in a HA dispensing setting, and covers a 6-month period. It consists of a booklet and 17 emails that contain links to videos and texts on HA handling skills, communication strategies, personal adjustment, and peer support. Our randomized study showed short and/or long-term improvements on clients’ HA use, handling, and satisfaction. These and other results will be discussed. Clinical implications will also be discussed.
HEAR-aware is a to-be developed smartphone-based tool aiming to serve the individual needs of hearing-impaired adults (aged 50+) who want to be supported but do not, or do not yet want a HA. The tool’s aim will be to improve hearing awareness, communication strategies, and coping, to ultimately establish better self-management.

The tool will consist of a smartphone app and a wearable microphone, and will apply a method called Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA). In order to arrive at such a tool by the end of the project, firstly, a needs assessment was carried among potential users. The first results of this assessment will be presented. The potential clinical applications of the HEAR-aware tool will be discussed.

Period	16 Nov 2019
Event title	Phonak conference: Hearing well and being well : A strong scientific connection
Event type	Conference
Location	Frankfurt, GermanyShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International