Research Team: Chelsea Buckley, BSc (Neuroscience) Honours, University of Toronto, MSc (Rehabilitation Sciences), University of Toronto; Annika Kiss, BSc (Linguistics), University of Victoria; Julia Rodrigues, BSc (Psychology and Neuroscience), Wilfrid Laurier University
Program: MSc Audiology / Speech-Language Pathology
Research Topic: Predictors of Amplification Outcomes in Middle-aged and Older Adults
Research Project: Unaddressed hearing loss negatively impacts communication, cognition, mental health, and overall quality of life, yet global hearing aid (HA) uptake remains low. The Community Services – Dalhousie Hearing Aid Assistance Program (CS–DHAAP) in Halifax, Nova Scotia, provides subsidized HA services to adults and has incorporated a comprehensive data collection system since 2019. This study utilizes demographic and audiologic data from adult participants to retrospectively identify predictors of HA uptake and self-perceived benefits. The research aims to fill gaps in Canadian evidence, particularly within Nova Scotia. The findings will inform program improvements, guide future research, and contribute to the advancement of hearing health knowledge, benefiting both local and global communities.
