“There are so many tools in our toolkit” when fitting hearing aids

Guidelines for severe and profound hearing loss People with severe to profound hearing loss face different challenges and issues. How can hearing aids help to balance these out? Pamela Souza, Professor and Chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Knowles Hearing Center at the Northwestern University in Illinois, US, provides answers to this and many further questions in this episode of our...

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Individuals with near-normal audiograms but perceived hearing difficulties can achieve aided outcomes on par with those of peers with mild hearing loss

Audiologists should consider fitting hearing aids for patients with near-normal audiograms who report significant hearing difficulty, as aided outcomes can match those of patients with confirmed mild hearing loss.

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The effect of treating hearing loss with hearing aids on plasma biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias

If the study shows hearing-aid use reduces Alzheimer's-related plasma biomarkers, it would strengthen the case for early hearing rehabilitation as a potential dementia-prevention strategy, though findings should be weighed by sample size and study design before changing practice.

PubMed·Journal article·Hearing aids·7w ago

Hearing Aid Efficacy-Timely Trial Finds Professional Guidance Trumps Costly Tech

This trial supports prioritising high-quality audiological fitting and counselling over premium hearing aid technology alone — audiologists should emphasise their professional value proposition when discussing device options with patients.

PubMed·Journal article·Hearing aids·4w ago

Hearing Aids for Adults With Mild to Moderate Hearing Loss

PubMed·Journal article·Hearing aids·6w ago

Hearing aid effectiveness and probable dementia risk across 33 countries: A pooled analysis of seven cohorts

Audiologists should continue counselling patients with hearing loss about consistent hearing aid use, as this large pooled international analysis adds meaningful weight to the evidence linking effective hearing aid use to reduced dementia risk — though causality is not yet...

PubMed·Journal article·Hearing aids·5d ago

Determinants of Speech Perception Outcomes After Hearing Aid Fitting in Conductive and Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Prospective Longitudinal Observational Study

Audiologists should assess the specific determinants identified (likely including degree of loss, type of loss, and cognitive factors) when counselling patients about expected speech perception outcomes after hearing aid fitting, particularly distinguishing between conductive...

PubMed·Journal article·Hearing aids·3d ago

Using NAL-NL3 in clinical practice: a modular NAL fitting system for real-world listening needs

Clinicians currently using NAL-NL2 should review NAL-NL3's updated modules and consider transitioning fitting protocols where the new system better addresses real-world listening needs; the article provides actionable implementation guidance.

PubMed·Journal article·Hearing aids·3w ago

The Cognitive-Affective Hearing Aid Paradox: Boredom Proneness and Attentional Difficulties Predict Worse Age-Related Subjective Hearing but Lower Rates of Hearing Aid Adoption

Audiologists should screen for boredom proneness and attentional difficulties during intake, as these traits may cause patients to underestimate the benefit of hearing aids and resist adoption despite poor subjective hearing.