When patients receive individualized care, are actively involved in decisions and in the management of their condition, and have family members who are engaged in the process, adherence rates are consistently higher across healthcare.
Numerous studies have confirmed that hearing care is no different. It’s been shown repeatedly that factors such as the level of support among family members, the client’s attitude towards hearing aids, their readiness to take action and determination to succeed – all factors that can be assessed and addressed with a person-centered approach – have a significant impact on levels of hearing aid uptake and adherence.
Other studies show specifically that the type of care a person receives – primarily the level of individualization, empathy, and shared decision-making they experience – is equally or even more important than factors such as comfort, cost, or efficacy in determining hearing aid success.
For example…
One 2020 study looked at why some hearing aid owners don’t use their devices. It found that most factors were non-audiological, e.g. distrust in the hearing care professional, being unable to integrate the device into daily living, a perception that hearing aids are burdensome, stigma, and a lack of knowledge about the device. Person-centered techniques are the ideal means to identify and address such concerns and expectations.
“Previously, clients might not be ready to undertake programs of rehabilitation, which would also include the provision of hearing aids. But as a result of appropriate use of the tools, we've found that clients are accepting the advice, undergoing that program, and acquiring hearing aids more readily.”
- Adam Shulberg, Managing Director and Senior Audiologist at Cubex, UK
“Person-centered care is something that – if you’re delivering it regularly – enables you to reduce the number of times that people come back and see you. Because you’ve fundamentally gotten to know who they are and what their preferences are, they’re much more likely to come onboard with treatment plans because they’ve helped decide them as opposed to being given them.”
- Laura Turton, Head of Service, NHS Tayside, Scotland