EBP Compendium: Summary of Systematic Review
National Institute for Clinical Excellence
Systematic Review of the Clinical and Cost Effectiveness of Digital Hearing Aids
Taylor, R. S., Paisley, S., et al.
(2001).
British Journal of Audiology, 35(5), 271-288.
Indicators of Review Quality:
|
The review addresses a clearly focused question
| No |
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Criteria for inclusion of studies are provided
| Yes |
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Search strategy is described in sufficient detail for replication
| No |
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Included studies are assessed for study quality
| Yes |
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Quality assessments are reproducible
| Yes |
Description: This is a review of randomized controlled trials, randomized crossover trials, and economic studies investigating the effectiveness of digital hearing aids in comparison to other forms of hearing aid technology.
Question(s) Addressed:
Question not specifically stated.
Population: Individuals with a hearing impairment
Intervention/Assessment: Digital hearing aids
Number of Studies Included: 8 clinical effectiveness studies, 8 cost effectiveness studies
Years Included: Not stated
Findings:
Conclusions:
- Management
- Hearing
- Digital/Analogue Hearing Aids - “The volume of randomized trial evidence identified was relatively small and of poor methodological quality. This evidence base provides little or no support for the benefit of digital devices from either laboratory or user-based outcomes, in the context in which the studies were conducted… Also, the inclusion of other technological advancements (such as directional microphones and methods of amplification) in a number of the trials may have confounded a direct analogue versus digital hearing aid comparison. There remains a need to undertake separate systematic review(s) of these hearing aid advances” (pp. 286-287).
Keywords: Hearing Loss, Hearing Aids
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Added to Compendium: March 2012