Abstract:
This systematic review examined the audiological and nonaudiological factors that influence hearing help-seeking and hearing
aid uptake in adults with hearing loss based on the literature published during the last decade. Peer-reviewed articles published
between January 2011 and February 2022 were identified through systematic searches in electronic databases CINAHL,
PsycINFO, and MEDLINE. The review was conducted and reported according to the PRISMA protocol. Forty-two articles
met the inclusion criteria. Seventy (42 audiological and 28 nonaudiological) hearing help-seeking factors and 159 (93 audiological
and 66 nonaudiological) hearing aid uptake factors were investigated with many factors reported only once (10/70 and
62/159, respectively). Hearing aid uptake had some strong predictors (e.g., hearing sensitivity) with others showing conflicting
results (e.g., self-reported health). Hearing help-seeking had clear nonpredictive factors (e.g., education) and conflicting factors
(e.g., self-reported health). New factors included cognitive anxiety associated with increased help-seeking and hearing aid
uptake and urban residency and access to financial support with hearing aid uptake. Most studies were rated as having a
low level of evidence (67%) and fair quality (86%). Effective promotion of hearing help-seeking requires more research evidence.
Investigating factors with conflicting results and limited evidence is important to clarify what factors support help-seeking
and hearing aid uptake in adults with hearing loss. These findings can inform future research and hearing health promotion
and rehabilitation practices.
