2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
| The Impact of Media on Increasing Caregivers’ Ideas for Hearing Aid Retention
The Impact of Media on Increasing Caregivers’ Ideas for Hearing Aid Retention
Over 90% of children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) are born to hearing families, many of whom experience challenges maintaining consistent hearing aid use in young children. A 2025 URLEND IPA cohort study found that 60% of parents lacked multiple strategies for hearing aid retention, with ability rather than motivation identified as the primary barrier (n = 11, N = 35). These findings highlight a critical need for accessible and effective resources for families. Short-form content (SFC) offers a practical and efficient way to deliver targeted information. This study examined whether SFC could improve adults’ perceived competency related to hearing aid retention strategies.
A pre–post educational intervention design was used with 72 participants, including professionals and non-professionals. Participants viewed a one-minute short-form instructional video demonstrating four hearing aid retention strategies: distraction, pilot caps, headbands, and retention clips. Pre- and post-surveys assessed baseline knowledge, perceived competency, number of strategies identified, strategy preferences, and perceived helpfulness of the video.
Before viewing the video, 58.3% of participants reported no knowledge of hearing aid retention strategies, despite 100% agreeing that hearing aid use is important. Most professionals (83%) and non-professionals (76%) agreed or strongly agreed they have the time to support hearing aid use. Following the intervention, 100% of participants were able to identify at least one retention strategy. The SFC was rated as highly effective (mean rating = 4.67/5). Qualitative feedback highlighted concerns related to comfort, aesthetics, and practicality, with retention clips and distraction rated as the most likable strategies.
These findings suggest that SFC is an effective and accessible tool for increasing adults’ competency in hearing aid retention. The results of this study also help providers better understand the perspectives of individuals who are less familiar with hearing technology when counseling on different retention strategies.
- The participant will assess adults’ baseline knowledge and competency in hearing aid retention strategies.
- The participant will evaluate the effectiveness of short-form content in improving participant competency.
- The participant will examine whether knowledge gaps vary by participant role or profession.
Presentation:
View Presentation File
https://youtube.com/shorts/2_D0Uey3QEs?feature=share
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Isabella Bass
(Co-Presenter,Co-Author), Utah Regional Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities, bass.isabella02@gmail.com;
Isabella Bass is a second-year Doctor of Audiology student at the University of Utah. She graduated from Idaho State University with a degree in Pre-Audiology and a minor in Sign Language Studies. Her passion lies in promoting accessibility and providing comprehensive services for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing children in schools. Isabella's capstone explores how parents of children with hearing loss and co-occurring autism prioritize hearing care and management.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Other financial benefit for Other activities from URLEND.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with URLEND.
Nature: Travel expenses and stipend.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Mia Schriever
(Co-Presenter,Co-Author), URLEND , U1230293@umail.utah.edu;
Mia Schriever is in her second year pursuing a Doctorate of Audiology at the University of Utah. She has a strong passion for pediatric audiology and improving outcomes in Maternal Child Health and for Children and Youth with Special Health Care needs. She is a 2025 Utah Regional LEND grantee.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with Utah Regional LEND.
Nature: Grant for to be apart of and complete research under the administration of the Utah Regional LEND program which is a federally funded program focused on educating health care providers on maternal/fetal health care and interdisciplinary systems for children and youth with special health care needs. .
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Elizabeth Myers
(Co-Author), Moving Mountains Therapy Center, bethmarymyers@hotmail.com;
Elizabeth Myers, M.S., CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist who graduated from the University of Montana with a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. Elizabeth works primarily with children in a private practice setting, providing early intervention services that emphasize parent coaching.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Brogan Lommen-Solig
(Co-Author), University of North Dakota, brogan.lommensolig@und.edu;
Brogan Lommen-Solig is a doctoral student in counseling psychology at the University of North Dakota. She currently conducts research relating to disclosure and social connectedness of ASD and works as a student counselor in a local community clinic. She has professional experience in developmental disabilities in various settings; as a direct support professional, mental health technician, and program coordinator. Through her professional and personal experience with neurodiversity, she attempts to advocate and teach self-advocacy skills in spaces that were previously inaccessible. In the future, she hopes to continue to support people with disabilities through her research and integration of psychology and the disability support field.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Bradlynn Andrus
(Co-Author), University of Utah, bradlynn.andrus@utah.edu;
Bradlynn Andrus completed her undergraduate degree at Brigham Young University and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) at the University of Utah. She has gained research experience working in a variety of labs at Brigham Young University, the University of Wyoming, and the University of Utah. In addition, she has worked for several years as a special needs nanny, further strengthening her passion for working with children and families. Her professional goal is to become a pediatric audiologist.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Kristina Blaiser
(Co-Presenter,Co-Author), Idaho State University, Kristina.Blaiser@isu.edu;
Kristina Blaiser, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, is
a Professor of Speech-Language Pathology in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and directs the HATCH (Helping Adults Talk to Children) Lab at Idaho State University. Dr. Blaiser has extensive experience leading early childhood education programs and evaluating the outcomes of children who are Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing. Her research interests include graduate training and implementation of family-centered early intervention. Dr. Blaiser serves on the national American Academy of Pediatrics Provider Education Committee and on the advisory board for the Family Leadership, Language and Learning Center.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with Idaho State University, AAP-PEC, FL3, Office of Special Education Programs.
Nature: employee, Advisory Board Member (AAP-PEC, FL3), Grantee.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.