Objectives:

To evaluate the impact of hearing aids (HA) on the quality of life of patients with presbycusis and identify the causes for not using them.

Study design:

Retrospective cohort.

Materials and methods:

The Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE) was applied to patients with presbycusis, with indication for HA, followed in the ENT Service of a tertiary hospital between 2021 and 2022. Patients who did not use HA answered the closed question “Why don't you use HA?”.

Results:

Ninety-nine patients were included in the study, 47% of which were HA users. In the group of HA users, the average score for HHIE decreased from 24 to 7 points after use. The group of patients who did not use HA pointed out economic problems (46%) as the main reason for not using it.

Conclusion:

Our study confirmed the benefit of HA on quality of life and that limited financial resources are the main reason for non-use.

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