TRANSITION TO IC USE IN ADULTS: A QUALITATIVE STUDY ON THE PROCESS OF ADAPTATION AND SATISFACTION
1Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi, Hamidiye Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi, Odyoloji Bölümü, İstanbul, Türkiye2Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi, Hamidiye Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi, Çocuk Gelişimi Bölümü,
3İstanbul Kent Üniversitesi Dil ve Konuşma Terapisi Bölümü, İstanbul, Türkiye Objective: This study aims to understand the experiences of individuals transitioning to hearing aid (HI) use and to examine the factors affecting the adaptation and satisfaction processes.
Materials and Methods: In this qualitative study using a phenomenological research design, data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Eleven individuals aged 18-55 years with postlingual sensorineural hearing loss who had been using hearing aids for at least one year participated in the study. Audio recordings of the face-to-face interviews were taken and analyzed by content analysis method and themes were identified. Data analysis was carried out in two stages: In the first stage, the audio recordings were transcribed and documented, and in the second stage, these texts were analyzed and the main themes were formed.
Findings: The study findings showed that the use of IC led to significant improvements in auditory perception, emotional well-being, and social interaction. Participants reported that they had difficulty understanding conversations, withdrew from social life, and lacked self-confidence before using IC. After starting to use IC, an increase in communication skills, increased social participation and improved quality of life were observed. However, some initial adaptation difficulties were reported, such as getting used to sound amplification, environmental noises and device visibility. In addition, short battery life and difficulty understanding speech, especially in noisy environments, may affect user satisfaction.
Conclusion: The study shows that the use of IC contributes to the auditory, emotional and social well-being of individuals, but individual support and technical arrangements are important in the adaptation process.
Keywords : Hearing aid, adaptation, satisfaction, qualitative research, sensorineural hearing loss