One of the most disabling sensorial alterations in the process of growing old is the auditory impairment known as presbyacusis. This alteration reduces social contacts, causing emotional problems, which are frequently overwhelming. In addition to auditory limitation due to acquired auditory impairment, there is auditory handicap related to non-auditory aspects and to emotional and social alterations. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical prospective. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Seven subjects, three male and four female, aged 60 to 77 years old, were studied. They presented bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and used unilateral hearing aids. Seven one-hour hearing rehabilitation sessions were held, once a week and in group. Speech reading of all phonemes of Portuguese language was used. RESULTS: A significant reduction of auditory handicap perception was verified in all subjects at the end of seven sessions. This result was established by using HHIE-S questionnaire pre and post-rehabilitation. CONCLUSION: In order to reduce psychosocial reactions of aged people due to auditory deficit, its is necessary to indicate, select and fit hearing aids, together with an auditory rehabilitation program to help elderly with auditory impairment and their families to deal positively with communication difficulties. Through hearing rehabilitation programs it is possible to reduce the auditory handicap perception of the elderly population. It provides the elderly better quality of life, encourage their social contacts and lessen their loneliness.
elder; hearing loss; handicap auditory
