Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids often rely on digital technologies that may limit access for older adults with low technology use. Community health worker (CHW)-delivered interventions may help overcome these barriers, but it is unclear whether baseline technology usage modifies intervention efficacy....
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
Audiologists should consider assessing patients' technology comfort level when recommending OTC hearing aids, as technology use may predict outcomes — but await full publication details before changing protocols.
As OTC hearing aids expand access to hearing care, understanding which older adults benefit most — and who may need extra support — is critical for equitable and effective service delivery.
- 01Secondary analysis of an RCT focused on older adults and hearing care interventions.
- 02Examines whether technology use level influences outcomes with OTC hearing aids.
- 03Community health worker support was evaluated as a potential equalizer for low-tech users.
- 04Findings could inform patient stratification for OTC vs. professional-fit devices.
- 05Published in JAMA Otolaryngology, indicating peer-reviewed rigor.
Technology use levels among older adults affect hearing care intervention outcomes with OTC hearing aids.
studypartially supportedCommunity health worker support can help older adults with lower technology use achieve better hearing aid outcomes.
studyunclear- PMID
- 42954970
- DOI
- 10.1001/jamaoto.2026.3331.
- Journal
- JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 2b
- Population
- Older adults receiving hearing care interventions, including OTC hearing aid users
- Intervention
- OTC hearing aids with or without community health worker support
- Comparator
- Varying levels of technology use among participants
Primary outcomes
Hearing care intervention outcomes by technology use level