Annals of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (ISSN 2835-7132) | Volume 5, Issue 4 | Research Article | Open Access
Gurumallesha Nagaraju*
Sankalpa Mahadev1, Dhananjaya Kumar Nagaraju1, Impana Lokesh1, Rakshitha Srihari2, Jeevan Govindaraju1, Gurumallesha Nagaraju1*
1Department of Audiology, JSS Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysuru, Karnataka, India
2All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Naimisham Campus, Mysuru, Karnataka, India
*Correspondence to: Gurumallesha Nagaraju
Fulltext PDFPurpose: The current study examined the multifaceted determinants influencing the procurement of hearing aids among adults with hearing loss in India. The research aimed to systematically evaluate demographic, audiological, health-related, psychosocial, and social support factors affecting hearing aid adoption in the Indian context.
Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 495 adults with clinically documented hearing loss at a specialized audiology center in Mysuru, India. A comprehensive checklist was developed through literature review, expert consultation, and pilot testing, covering six domains: demographics, self-reported hearing difficulties, audiological parameters, psychosocial factors, motivational factors, and beliefs about hearing aids. Binary logistic regression analyses examined predictors of hearing aid procurement across these domains.
Results: Thirteen variables significantly predicted the procurement of hearing aids. Family motivation (OR = 3.734) and family support (OR = 3.501) emerged as the strongest predictors. Self-reported hearing difficulties (OR = 2.212), difficulty hearing whispers (OR = 2.045), and better understanding in group settings (OR = 1.996) also significantly increased the likelihood of procurement. Lower socioeconomic status (OR = 0.689) was associated with a reduced adoption probability. The perceived benefits model demonstrated highest explanatory power (R² = .186), while the family support model achieved best classification accuracy (72.3%).
Conclusion: Hearing aid procurement in India is influenced by a complex interplay of factors, with family involvement emerging as the most potent predictor. Findings emphasize the need for family-centered, culturally appropriate interventions that address socioeconomic barriers and realistic expectations to improve hearing aid adoption rates.
Hearing aid adoption; Hearing Loss; Family support; Socioeconomic factors; Self-reported hearing difficulty
Sankalpa Mahadev, Dhananjaya Kumar Nagaraju, Impana Lokesh, Rakshitha Srihari, Jeevan Govindaraju, Gurumallesha Nagaraju. Determinants of Hearing Aid Procurement Among Adults with Hearing Loss in India: A Cross-Sectional Study. Annal of Otol Head and Neck Surg. 2026;5(4):1-13.