‘ Getting used to ’hearing aids from the perspective of adult hearing-aid users

Objective: To describe getting used to hearing aids from the perspective of adult hearing-aid users. Design: Three focus group discussions
were carried out. A topic guide and discussion exercises were used to elicit views on getting used to hearing aids. Discussion was
audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and subjected to qualitative content analysis. Study sample: Adult hearing aid users (n 16).
Results: Participants described getting used to hearing aids as a multi-factorial process which included adjusting to altered sensory input,
practical matters such as cleaning and maintenance, and managing the psychosocial impact of hearing-aid use, such as on self-image.
Users reported a process of discovering benefi ts and limitations of hearing aids leading to individual patterns of use that was relatively
independent of input from audiologists. Conclusions : Getting used to hearing aids is a challenging multi-factorial process with both
psychosocial and practical diffi culties besides demands of adjusting to hearing-aid input.