Barriers to hearing aid adoption among older adults in mainland China

This study aimed to explore barriers to hearing aid adoption amongst older adults in mainland China. Semi-structured interviews were audio-recorded and analysed using qualitative thematic analysis. The study included 12 older adults who had seen ENTs and had not adopted hearing aids. Three overarching themes and ten subthemes were generated to explain why older adults in mainland China do not adopt hearing aids: (1) Desire a cure for hearing loss, (2) Lack of a perceived need for hearing aids, and (3) Negative impressions of, and misconceptions about, hearing aids. Although barriers are similar to those reported in Western societies, the under-developed hearing healthcare infrastructure, Chinese health beliefs, Chinese culture, and low health literacy play important roles in preventing older adults to adopt hearing aids in mainland China. To identify barriers to hearing aid adoption and address them, hearing health practitioners should learn what older adults know about their hearing loss, how they perceive the effects of hearing loss, and how they feel about hearing aids.本研究旨在探究中国大陆老年群体助听器采纳的阻碍因素。本研究对半结构化访谈进行录音，并采用质性主题分析方法开展数据分析，共纳入12名曾就诊于耳鼻咽喉科医师（ENT）且未采纳助听器的老年人。研究最终提炼出3个核心主题与10个子主题，用以阐释中国大陆老年群体未采纳助听器的原因：（1）期望通过治疗治愈听力损失；（2）未意识到助听器的使用必要性；（3）对助听器存在负面印象与认知误区。尽管本次识别的阻碍因素与西方社会已有报道的结果存在相似之处，但听力医疗基础设施不完善、中国民众的健康信念、中国文化背景以及健康素养偏低，仍是阻碍中国大陆老年群体采纳助听器的关键影响因素。为精准识别并有效应对助听器采纳障碍，听力健康从业者应充分了解老年群体对自身听力损失的认知情况、对听力损失影响的主观评价，以及对助听器的态度与看法。