Abstract:
Background: Hearing loss affects millions of people around the world and is estimated to be the fourth leading cause of disability globally. Besides, over the past several years, research investigations have focused on the low uptake and usage of hearing aids among populations with hearing- impaired. The attitude toward the use of hearing aid is a major problem among the hearing-impaired population in the world with more people showing more negative attitudes towards the use of hearing aids in developing countries where hearing impairment is high.
Aim: The study determined the attitudes of hearing-impaired persons towards the use of hearing aids in Accra, Ghana.
Methods: The study deployed a cross-sectional study with a sample size of 50 mostly with people with hearing impairment. Structured Questionnaires were designed and administered with the help of the respondents within the study population area. The questionnaire was analyzed using statistical software (SPSS)
Results: The study indicated that fifty-eight percent (58%) of the hearing-impaired population showed disinterest in wearing hearing aids for many reasons. Though the respondents have appreciable knowledge about hearing aids, their attitudes towards acquiring and use of hearing aids were generally negative. Chief among the reasons they assigned to their negative attitude is the assertion that larger society disdains and stigmatizes them as second class humans. This implies that most of the people with hearing impairment, although could benefit from the use of a hearing device, are not interested in wearing them because of the perceived public perception and stigmatization. Forty-two (42%) percent of the respondents had a positive attitude towards hearing aids as a result of their adequate knowledge of hearing aids and the benefits of usage.
Conclusion: Most people with hearing impairment do not acquire and own hearing aids as an immediate interventional measure for aural rehabilitation. However, the motivation for hearing impaired persons to acquire and use hearing aids depends on several factors that should not be grossed over.
Keyword: Hearing loss, hearing aid, hearing-impaired, population, attitude
