Auditory Research 2026

Early acclimatization to hearing aids in first-time users: speech-in-noise, cognitive, and self-reported outcomes

Jinan Shalata Hanin Karawani
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Israel

Purpose: Untreated hearing loss impairs speech-in-noise perception and hampers daily communication. Hearing aids (HAs) are the primary rehabilitation option; however, acclimatization can be challenging for first-time users, and factors associated with consistent HA use remain poorly understood. The primary aim was to examine changes over the first three months of HA use in speech-in-noise perception, cognitive performance, and self-reported benefit in first-time HA users. A secondary aim was to investigate whether outcome changes were associated with daily HA use and whether contextual and demographic factors were related to HA use. Method: Forty adults with bilateral, symmetrical sensorineural hearing loss were recruited; 35 completed the study. Participants were bilaterally fitted with HAs and followed for three months. Outcome measures included speech-in-noise perception, cognitive performance (inhibitory control and attention, working memory, processing speed), and self-reported benefit. Daily HA use was monitored via data logging. Results: Speech-in-noise perception improved significantly with large effect sizes for accuracy and signal-to-noise ratio. Cognitive performance improved across domains, and participants reported substantial benefit. Daily HA use was not associated with outcome changes. Contextual and demographic factors were not related to HA use. Conclusions: The findings demonstrate improvements in perceptual, cognitive, and self-reported outcomes, reflecting dynamic changes associated with early acclimatization in first-time users. The longitudinal within-subject design enables characterization of time-dependent changes following HA adoption. However, without a comparison group, causal attribution to HA use remains limited. Future studies with larger, more diverse samples and appropriate control conditions are needed to establish the specificity and long-term stability of these effects.