Public Awareness of Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants: A Google Trends Analysis of Media Campaigns.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

While one-fifth of eligible candidates use hearing aids (HAs), a smaller proportion of eligible candidates receive a cochlear implant (CI), partly due to cost and knowledge gaps. This study aims to quantify internet relative search volumes (RSVs) as a general awareness proxy for HAs and CIs around relevant events.

Study design

Retrospective infodemiologic study.

Setting

Google searches from 2004 to 2024.

Methods

Using Google Trends, we performed Welch's t-tests to compare average HA and CI RSVs (search volume relative to comparator search volume from 0%-100%) during event and non-event periods.

Results

From 2004 to 2024, HA RSV increased from 37% to 100% while CI RSV remained below 13%. Some federal announcements such as hybrid CI approv

SUBMITTER: Habib DRS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12529450 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature