ABSTRACTPurpose: To characterize the referral and analyze the perception of the users regarding the complaints and benefits of the use of hearing aids granted by the Unified Health System.
Methods
A cross-sectional, quantitative study that analyzed 100 users of hearing aids in the initial visit after fitting, in a service of medium and high complexity in hearing health. Data were collected from the medical records and analyzed the characteristics of the hearing loss, the selection and fitting of hearing aids and the length of time using them. An interview was carried out to investigate the perception of complaints and benefits with the use of hearing aids.
Results
Among the users of hearing aids, the age range of 66-90 years was predominant; schooling, incomplete middle school prevailed; mild to moderate sensorineural hearing loss, slight / discreet difficulty understanding speech; 184 prostheses were adapted, the majority of those were retroauricular and Type A; the waiting time between the referral and fitting was between 33-88 days, the main benefit of the hearing aid was the improvement of social understanding / interaction and the main complaint referred to problems of adjustment.
Conclusion
Most users reported benefits with prosthesis use for speech comprehension and social interaction; the most mentioned complaint was adjustment.
Keywords:
Hearing; Hearing loss; Hearing aids; Health programs and plans; Unified Health System