Objective: To investigate the benefits in reported outcomes after providing bluetooth accessories for established hearing aid users.
Design: Prospective observational study using validated quantitative outcome measures and detailed patient narrative before and two months after patients were provided with bluetooth accessories.
Study sample: Twelve patients with bilateral NHS hearing aids participated. They had a wide range of ages and hearing loss.
Results: After two months, 10 patients reported substantial additional benefit and kept the accessories; two returned them for various reasons. Statistically significant changes were seen in two validated outcome measures: the Glasgow Hearing Aid Benefit Profile and the International Outcome Inventory - Hearing Aids, but not in the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale. Two notable benefits were reported: some described hearing the emotion and mood in a voice for the first time; others were amazed to report an improved ability to hear film or to hold conversations over the telephone.
Conclusions: The provision of bluetooth accessories can give additional reported benefit for some patients - we need better knowledge about who benefits, and whether further support/training to individuals would make a difference.
Keywords: Bluetooth; accessories; benefit; hearing aids; outcomes.