INTRODUCTION: Different informations are transmitted to the new user of the hearing aid, in a short period of time. The user needs to understand and retain the information to subsequent recovery and action, ensuring the proper use of the device. OBJECTIVE: check the information retention about the hearing loss and use/care with the hearing aid in new users of these devices. Examine whether there is influence of demographic data and audiologic. METHOD: Prospective study. Participants: 30 hearing impaired (18 women and 12 men), aged between 18 and 88 years. Were offered verbal orientation supported with ilustrations at the time of audiological diagnosis and adaptation of the hearing aid. There was practice for manipulation of the prosthesis. Three weeks after the adaptation, was performed a evaluation of the retention of information about hearing loss (free recall) and use/care with the prosthesis (aided recall). The manipulation of the prosthesis was also evaluated. The responses and comments of the evaluator were noted in a specific protocol and scored. RESULTS: On average the participants retained, respectively, 31,6% and 83,6% of informations about hearing loss in adults and elderly. There was no correlation between the retention of information with the degree in hearing loss, education and socioeconomic level. CONCLUSION: It's necessary the use of strategies that facilitate and improve the retention of the information about the audiological diagnosis, use and care with the hearing aid for new users of this device.
hearing; hearing loss; counseling; hearing aids
