Audiometric profiles and patterns of benefit: a data-driven analysis of subjective hearing difficulties and handicaps

Sanchez-Lopez, R., Dau, T. and Whitmer, W. M. (2022) Audiometric profiles and patterns of benefit: a data-driven analysis of subjective hearing difficulties and handicaps. International Journal of Audiology, 61(4), pp. 301-310. (doi: 10.1080/14992027.2021.1905890) (PMID:33825590)

Abstract

Objective: Hearing rehabilitation attempts to compensate for auditory dysfunction, reduce hearing difficulties and minimise participation restrictions that can lead to social isolation. However, there is no systematic approach to assess the quality of the intervention at an individual level that might help to evaluate the need of further hearing rehabilitation in the hearing care clinic. Design: A data-driven analysis on subjective data reflecting hearing disabilities and handicap was chosen to explore “benefit patterns” as a result of rehabilitation in different audiometric groups. The method was based on (1) dimensionality reduction; (2) stratification; (3) archetypal analysis; (4) clustering; (5) item importance estimation. Study sample: 572 hearing-aid users completed questionnaires of hearing difficulties (speech, spatial and qualities hearing scale; SSQ) and hearing handicap (HHQ). Results: The data-driven approach revealed four benefit profiles that were different for each audiometric group. The groups with low degree of high-frequency hearing loss (HLHF) showed a priority for rehabilitating hearing handicaps, whereas the groups with HLHF > 50 dB HL showed a priority for improvements in speech understanding. Conclusions: The patterns of benefit and the stratification approach might guide the clinical intervention strategy and improve the efficacy and quality of service in the hearing care clinic.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was supported by Innovation Fund Denmark Grand Solutions [5164-00011B] (Better hEAring Rehabilitation project) Oticon, GN Hearing, WS Audiology and other partners (Aalborg University, University of Southern Denmark, the Technical University of Denmark, Force, Aalborg, Odense and Copenhagen University Hospitals). The funding and collaboration of all partners are sincerely acknowledged. W. W. is supported by the Medical Research Council [MR/S003576/1] and the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Whitmer, Dr William
• Authors: Sanchez-Lopez, R., Dau, T., and Whitmer, W. M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
• Journal Name: International Journal of Audiology
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• ISSN: 1499-2027
• ISSN (Online): 1708-8186
• Published Online: 07 April 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 The Authors
• First Published: First published in International Journal of Audiology 61(4): 301-310
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License