MM302 - Utilizing Subjective Questionnaires in Audiology: Protocols for Diagnostic Assessment and Treatment Outcome Measurement

Abstract:
Using subjective questionnaires in hearing loss assessment and treatment is best practice, as pure tone and speech audiometry alone may not correlate with self-perceived handicap. Questionnaires offer benefits such as improved candidacy assessment, counseling, and outcome tracking. Despite challenges like time constraints and lack of reimbursement, we will present a protocol from a small private practice for administering pre- and post-fitting questionnaires. This session will also share data collected over one year, demonstrating clinical efficacy.

Summary:
It is widely recognized that using questionnaires in the assessment and treatment of hearing disorders is best practice, as pure tone and speech audiometry alone do not strongly correlate with self-perceived handicap (Newman et al., 1990; Weinstein & Ventry, 1983). For example, patients with thresholds in the normal to mild hearing loss range may perceive a significant handicap, greater than what we might expect based on the audiogram alone. Without objective measures, many individuals experiencing functional difficulties could be overlooked.

In clinical practice, questionnaires offer numerous benefits, including aiding in hearing aid candidacy decisions for borderline candidates (Humes, 2021), supporting counseling, and tracking outcomes to assess protocol efficacy. Despite these benefits, studies show that many audiologists do not use questionnaires routinely due to factors such as time constraints and lack of reimbursement (Goyal et al., 2024; Wiley et al., 2000).

In this session, we will present the protocol of a small private practice for administering pre- and post-fitting questionnaires to hearing aid patients. This protocol allows for the efficient collection of questionnaire data without impeding on appointment time. Pre- and post-fitting data are used both on an individual scale for patient counseling and on a larger scale to document subjective hearing aid benefit across providers. The session will also share data collected over more than 12 months, illustrating how subjective questionnaires can provide valuable insights into hearing aid outcomes. The protocol demonstrates that integrating these critical tools into routine patient care can be done without additional time or resource burdens.

(Note: Complete reference list available, did not include in submission due to space/word limitations)

Brief Summary of Clinical Takeaways:
The clinical takeaway for this session is that integrating subjective questionnaires into routine patient care is essential for assessing hearing aid outcomes. By establishing an efficient protocol, these tools can be administered without taking extra clinical time or resources.