Support improves hearing-aid benefit in a randomized trial
A peer-reviewed randomized trial in China found greater hearing-aid benefit when older adults received help from a primary care physician or a remote audiologist. All 322 participants used the same device, allowing the comparison to focus on support. The main difference appeared at three months and persisted at twelve months, although unequal follow-up losses complicate interpretation.
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The same hearing aid was tested with different support
Structured fitting support improved the benefit reported by older adults using hearing aids in a peer-reviewed randomized trial in China. Across ten community health centres in three cities, 322 people with untreated hearing loss in both ears, all at least 50 years old received the same device. They were assigned to self-fitting, on-site support from a primary care physician, or remote support from an audiologist, a hearing specialist. Local social workers helped remote participants connect when necessary.[1]
Both support pathways improved the main outcome
Researchers used a questionnaire to measure the main outcome, hearing-aid benefit three months after fitting. Relative to the self-fitting group, the adjusted average difference was 12.20 points when help came remotely; physician support showed a 9.71-point difference. The advantage persisted at twelve months. A comparison of the supported groups found no significant difference for most clinical outcomes. The experiment does not establish that on-site care is generally better than remote care.[1]
Participants knew their assignment, while outcome assessors and statisticians were masked. Final follow-up losses were 42.6 per cent in the self-fitting group, 15.9 per cent with physician support and 21.5 per cent with remote support. Sensitivity analyses supported the main finding, but residual attrition bias remains possible. Device logs measured powered-on time rather than actual wear. One device and locally assisted remote care also limit how far the result can be extended to other settings.[1]
