Dose–response effects of daily hearing-aid use on speech perception and auditory threshold stability in adults with sensorineural hearing loss

Daily hearing-aid use has been suggested as an important behavioral factor associated with variability in rehabilitative outcomes; however, longitudinal evidence using objectively measured use time remains limited. This study examined the association between daily hearing-aid use, aided speech perception outcomes, and auditory threshold stability over a 12-month period in adults with sensorineural hearing loss.

This prospective longitudinal observational study included 80 adults (50–70 years) with bilateral moderate to moderately severe sensorineural hearing loss. Objective datalogging was used to quantify average daily hearing-aid use over 12 months. Based on usage data, participants were categorized into a Low-Use group (< 4 h/day) and a High-Use group (≥ 8 h/day). Outcome measures included changes in pure-tone average, aided speech perception in quiet and in noise, and baseline cognitive screening using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Between-group comparisons, correlation analyses, and regression models were performed.

After 12 months, the High-Use group demonstrated significantly greater improvement in aided speech perception in quiet (mean change: 11.48%) and in noise (mean change: 9.19%) compared with the Low-Use group (both p < .001). Changes in PTA were minimal in both groups, with no significant between-group differences. Average daily hearing-aid use was strongly correlated with improvement in speech perception, particularly in noise (r = .915, p < .001).

Greater daily hearing-aid use was strongly associated with larger improvements in aided speech perception, particularly in noisy listening conditions, over a 12-month period, while auditory thresholds remained stable.