What helps people succeed with over-the-counter hearing aids
Barriers and facilitators to over-the-counter hearing aids success: A patient journey approach
This project looks at adults with age-related hearing loss who choose over-the-counter or clinic-fitted hearing aids to learn which path helps people hear better and feel better in daily life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11398065 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will follow adults with age-related hearing loss who either buy OTC hearing aids on their own or get devices through audiology clinics. They will collect hearing tests, patient questionnaires about hearing-related quality of life, and interviews about people’s experiences choosing, fitting, and using devices. The team will compare who succeeds or struggles in each pathway and document barriers (cost, access, fitting) and supports (instructions, follow-up care) that affect outcomes. Results are intended to give practical guidance for people deciding between OTC and clinic-fitted hearing aids.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults aged 21 and older with age-related hearing loss who are considering or currently using OTC or clinic-fitted hearing aids.
Not a fit: Children, people with profound hearing loss or medical/surgical causes of hearing loss, or those not using hearing aids may not directly benefit from this project’s findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could help people choose the hearing-aid option that best fits their needs and improve real-world hearing, comfort, and quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: Small trials and pilot studies suggest OTC devices can help people with mild-to-moderate hearing loss, but long-term outcomes and patient decision pathways remain under-studied.
Where this research is happening
Iowa City, United States
- University of Iowa — Iowa City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wu, Yu-Hsiang — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Wu, Yu-Hsiang
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.