Aesthetic Aspects in the Process of Individual Hearing Aid Fitting
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20883/jofa.111Keywords:
face aesthetic, hearing aids, earmouldsAbstract
This paper presents the possibilities of contemporary hearing prosthetics, encompassing a broad spectrum of solutions currently available to patients. Based on the authors’ clinical experience and data from international research centers, the most important aesthetic aspects from the patients’ perspective are identified and discussed. The paper reviews types of hearing aids in clinical use, their applicability depending on the type and severity of hearing loss, and the degree of device miniaturization. The dominant preferences in hearing aid selection include aesthetic appeal and discretion, as well as options for wireless connectivity and control via mobile applications. Owing to the development of wireless technologies in hearing aids, patients increasingly opt for solutions that enable device management and access to the internet and multimedia through smartphones. Furthermore, the availability of colorful housings and earmolds has led to an emerging trend in which hearing aids are used to emphasize the individual style of the wearer.
Downloads
References
Śliwińska-Kowalska M, editor. Audiologia kliniczna. Łódź: Mediton; 2005. p. 413-428.
Ricketts TA, Bentler R, Mueller HG. Essentials of modern hearing aids: selection, fitting, and verification. San Diego (CA): Plural Publishing; 2017.
Taylor B, Mueller HG. Fitting and dispensing hearing aids. 3rd ed. San Diego (CA): Plural Publishing; 2020.
Desai N, Beukes EW, Manchaiah V, Mahomed-Asmail F, Swanepoel W. Consumer perspectives on improving hearing aids: a qualitative study. Am J Audiol. 2024;33(3):728-739. doi: 10.1044/2024_AJA-23-00245.
Hasan S. User preferences for hearing aid features [dissertation]. London (ON): Western University; 2022.
Mothemela B, Manchaiah V, Mahomed-Asmail F, Knoetze M, Swanepoel W. Factors influencing hearing aid use, benefit and satisfaction in adults: a systematic review of the past decade. Int J Audiol. 2024;63(9):661-674. doi: 10.1080/14992027.2023.2272562.
Almufarrij I, Dillon H, Adams B, Greval A, Munro KJ. Listening preferences of new adult hearing aid users: a registered, double-blind, randomized, mixed-methods clinical trial of initial versus real-ear fit. Trends Hear. 2023;27:23312165231189596. doi: 10.1177/23312165231189596.
Bridges JFP, Lataille AT, Buttorff C, White S, Niparko JK. Consumer preferences for hearing aid attributes: a comparison of rating and conjoint analysis methods. Trends Amplif. 2012;16(1):40-48. doi: 10.1177/1084713811434617.
Windle R, Dillon H, Heinrich A. Preference and outcomes for fast versus slow compression. Ear Hear. 2026;47(1). doi: 10.1097/AUD.0000000000001716.
Faraji-Khiavi F, Dashti R, Sameni SJ, Bayat A. Satisfaction with hearing aids based on technology and style among hearing impaired persons. Iran J Otorhinolaryngol. 2016;28(5):321-327. doi: 10.22038/IJORL.2016.7455.
Houmøller SS, Wolff A, Tsai LT, Narayanan SK, Hougaard DD, Gaihede ML, et al. Impact of hearing aid technology level at first-fit on self-reported outcomes in patients with presbycusis: a randomized controlled trial. Front Aging. 2023;4:1158272. doi: 10.3389/fragi.2023.1158272.
Poost-Foroosh L, Jennings MB, Shaw L, Meston CN, Cheesman MF. Factors in client-clinician interaction that influence hearing aid adoption. Trends Amplif. 2011;15(3):127-139. doi: 10.1177/1084713811430217.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 The copyright to the submitted manuscript is held by the Author, who grants the Journal of Face Aesthetics (JoFA) a nonexclusive licence to use, reproduce, and distribute the work, including for commercial purposes.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
