Health behavior theories as predictors of hearing-aid uptake and outcomes.

OBJECTIVE To understand hearing behaviors of adults seeking help for the first time through the application of two models of health behavior change: the transtheoretical model and the health belief model. DESIGN The relationships between attitudes and beliefs were examined relative to hearing-aid uptake and outcomes six months later. STUDY SAMPLE One hundred and sixty adults completed the University of Rhode Island change assessment (targeting the transtheoretical model), and the hearing beliefs questionnaire (targeting the health belief model), as well as the hearing handicap inventory and the psychosocial impact of hearing loss scale, within two months of an initial hearing assessment. Six months later, participants completed these same questionnaires, while those who had taken up hearing aids also completed hearing-aid outcome questionnaires. RESULTS (1) Attitudes and beliefs were associated with future hearing-aid uptake, and were effective at modeling this behavior; (2) attitudes and beliefs changed following behavior change, and (3) attitudes and beliefs following behavior change were better predictors of hearing-aid outcomes than pre-behavior change attitudes and beliefs. CONCLUSION A counseling-based intervention targeting the attitudes and beliefs assessed by the transtheoretical model and the health belief model has the potential to increase uptake of hearing health care.