To follow-up on my last article, I reviewed a research titled “Evaluating Quality, Credibility, and Readability of Online Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Information” by Shah et. al.. This study evaluated the quality, credibility, and readability of online -over-the-counter hearing aid educational material.
The authors sourced the first 50 articles of 32,300,000 results from a Google Search of “over-the-counter hearing aids”. The resulting articles were categorized based on their credibility, readability, quality, accessibility and whether they were authored by a health care professional. The articles were independently reviewed by two trained reviewers using standardized and validated assessment tools.
The article delves deeply into the standardized tests used to evaluate each piece. For those who want to explore this further, I suggest reading the full article, as it’s beyond my expertise to fully explain.
Ultimately, the results revealed that most of the online information about OTC hearing aids was written at a reading level too difficult for the average adult. Other assessments of quality, credibility, and reliability were ranked high however. The authors comment “given the increasing hearing loss risk within the expanding and diversifying population 65 years old or above in the United States, it is important that experts in hearing gloss take ownership of PTC hearing aid consumer information and subsequently create resources that are both digestible and comprehensive for this cohort.” I concur with this sentiment and aim to help educate Audiologists, Physicians and Consumers about over-the-counter hearing aids.
By fostering greater understanding, we can help ensure that individuals in this demographic make informed decisions about their hearing health, ultimately improving their quality of life and overall well-being. Additionally, it’s crucial to advocate for accessible and affordable hearing solutions to address the broader spectrum of needs within this age group. Through collaborative efforts and ongoing education, we can bridge the gap in hearing healthcare and empower those affected by hearing loss to lead more connected and fulfilling lives.
Dr. White, AuD 