An Analysis of Time Spent with Patients During the First Year of a Hearing Aid Fitting and Possible Predictors of the Need for More Time

Being fit with a hearing aid takes time in the clinic with the audiologist. How much time impacts clinic pricing and programming, however, there has been minimal research thus far on this topic. Our study intended to fill this gap and identify any variables that might be predictive of the need for more time. Through a retrospective chart review at the University of Arizona Hearing clinic, we collected data from 253 adult patients who were fit with their initial set of hearing aid(s) in the timeframe of May 1st, 2022 to April 31st, 2023. We recorded the length, type, and number of appointments within the first year after their initial hearing aid fitting. We organized recorded patient factors into three main categories to analyze and discuss: patient demographics, hearing aid technology, and out-of-pocket (OOP) costs. Linear regression analysis was completed for all three categories to evaluate total appointment time, while a Poisson analysis was completed for all three categories to evaluate total number of appointments. Both analyses deemed a p-value < 0.05 as statistically significant. Linear regression identified a significant effect of patients needing more time with the audiologist if they had +10 years of hearing aid experience, had an accessory, or paid between $2,001-3,000 for their initial hearing aids. Poisson analysis identified the same variables AND having a standard hearing aid technology level and paying between $1,001-2,000 as needing more appointments overall. It was found that speaking a language during the appointment other than English or Spanish resulted in less time with the audiologist. These factors can be used to adjust the length and/or frequency of appointments and can similarly be used in adjusting service plan bundled pricing. Limitations of the study were discussed, in particular, the differences between a student-involved university clinic compared to a more typical clinic, and regarding the one-year follow-up of patient appointments.

Name thesis:degree_name

Au.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Graduate College

Grantor dc:publisher

The University of Arizona.

Year dc:date.issued

2026

Author dc:creator

• Dyer, Sara

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Muller, Thomas
• Kobel, Megan

Committee member dc:contributor.committeemember

• Velenovsky, David

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction, presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10150/680323

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.arizona.edu:10150/680323