Consumer preferences for hearing health care information and services as described by older adults surveyed in Australia, Canada, England, and the United States

Background

Age-related hearing loss is a global public health concern and yet hearing health care (HHC) services remain underutilized. Understanding the HHC experiences of older adults is essential to addressing why existing systems are underutilized. Therefore, we surveyed older adults to determine their preferences for HHC service delivery. In this cross-sectional survey study, we report where they preferred to obtain HHC information, undergo hearing tests, and acquire hearing devices. We also examined whether these preferences varied by degree of hearing loss, help-seeking experience, survey mode (online or in person), age, or country.