Rosa-Linde Fischer
Principal Scientist, Germany
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The challenge
Moving beyond technology to support adaptation to age-related hearing loss
As we age, changes in hearing can impact communication, social engagement, and overall well-being. While hearing aids provide essential support, their uptake and perceived effectiveness varies.
Some individuals adapt successfully, integrating hearing aids and communication strategies into their daily lives, while others struggle with frustration, device abandonment, or social withdrawal.
Deep understanding of hearing-related adaptive strategies and their benefit
Successful aging with hearing loss requires more than access to technology—it depends on how individuals manage and adapt to age-related hearing challenges.
Strategies such as choosing favorable listening environments, adjusting hearing aid settings, and using visual cues can make a significant difference.
Together with Prof. Dr. Bettina Williger (University of Applied Sciences, Landshut) and Dr. Stefan Kamin (Fraunhofer Institut IIS, Nürnberg), we aim to deepen our understanding of hearing-related adaptive strategies and their benefit for long-term hearing success and quality of life.
This research could lead to better rehabilitation programs, improved hearing aid design, and stronger support systems, helping individuals maintain independence and quality of life as they age.
Our approach
Unlocking the strategies for thriving with hearing loss
To better understand why some individuals successfully navigate hearing loss, we need a new approach to studying hearing aid uptake and use.
The Selective Optimization with Compensation model (SOC, Baltes & Baltes, 1990) explains how people adapt to health challenges throughout their lives by using different strategies.
In the perspective of hearing-related challenges, these strategies are reflected in following three categories:
- Selection – selection and prioritization of specific listening situations and activities that align with individual hearing capabilities, e.g. withdrawing from situations where they have difficulties hearing.
- Optimization – acquisition, enhancement, and refinement of hearing-related strategies, like pro-active planning to improve listening situations and requesting written information.
- Compensation – utilization of alternative means, such as leveraging external resources, social support, and environmental modifications.
By studying how individuals use these strategies, we can develop a structured approach that links adaptive behaviors to positive hearing outcomes, offering insights into what enables successful adaptation.
Key insights
The role of adaptation in hearing success
Initial findings suggest that adaptive strategies—not demographic factors like age, sex, or education—are key predictors of hearing aid use.
This means that focusing on how people adapt to hearing loss can provide new ways to improve hearing aid uptake.
Furthermore, individuals who actively use adaptive strategies report higher hearing aid satisfaction, especially in terms of the positive effect for their daily lives
Acknowledge the adaptive competence of people and where they reach their limits, help to improve successful strategies and external support
Future dierctions
Researching new ways to improve hearing success
Our research focuses on:
- Understanding how adaptive strategies evolve over time and their impact on hearing aid use.
- Integrating strategy-based training into hearing rehabilitation to enhance successful listening experiences and quality of life.
- Developing digital health tools that enable individuals track and refine their adaptive strategies.
- Raising public awareness about the importance of behavioral adaptation in managing hearing loss.
Real-world impact
Redefining hearing support for aging adults
By focusing on adaptation rather than just technology, we can transform how hearing care is delivered:
- Clinicians and audiologists can incorporate strategy training into rehabilitation programs, empowering individuals to manage hearing challenges more effectively.
- Hearing aid manufacturers can design more adaptive and intuitive devices that align with real-world user needs.
- Digital health applications can provide personalized guidance and feedback, supporting individuals in tracking and refining their adaptive strategies.
- Public education initiatives can promote awareness about the role of adaptation, encouraging individuals to take an active role in managing their hearing loss.
Ultimately, successful aging with hearing loss is about more than just hearing aids—it’s about understanding, adapting, and staying engaged in communication and daily life.
By supporting these adaptive processes, we can help individuals maintain confidence, connection, and independence as they navigate hearing-related challenges.
Related Publications
For further insights and access to our publications, visit:
Researchers
Researchers involved
Research area Facilitating solution adoption
Partners Universities