Improved Speech Recognition in Adults With Conductive or Mixed Hearing Loss Using a Direct-to-Consumer Bone-Conduction Device: A Multiple Methods Intervention Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hearing loss affects 20% of the global population, including 250 million experiencing chronic suppurative otitis media, which can present challenges for conventional hearing aids due to ear discharge. Although assistive technology for hearing is available in high-income settings, provision is poor in low-income settings due to high costs and low availability of audiology services, reaching approximately 3% of those who could benefit from it.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the performance of a low-cost self-fitted direct-to-consumer bone-conduction headset for individuals with conductive or mixed hearing loss.

Methods

We conducted a multiple methods study to test the efficacy and acceptability of this device using a purposive sample. Participants wit

SUBMITTER: Hampton T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12282675 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature