The Effect of Chronological Age on the Acceptance of Internet-Based Hearing Health Care

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this article is to offer design considerations in developing Internet-based hearing health care for older adults by analyzing and discussing the relationship between chronological age, computer skills, and the acceptance of Internet-based hearing health care. Method This article reports baseline data from a training study measuring the acceptance of Internet-based hearing health care. Participants ( n = 26; 20 men, 6 women) were aged 55–95 years. All passed a cognitive screen and failed a hearing screen. Participants completed the Patient-Technology Acceptance questionnaire (Or, 2008). Computer literacy was measured using the Northstar Digital Literacy Assessment (Cytron-Hysom, Hadley, Vanek, Graif, & Asp, 2012). Results Computer literacy was negatively correlated with increasing age. Additional negative relationships were seen between computer literacy and computer anxiety and between computer literacy and computer self-efficacy. Finally, there was a negative relationship between computer self-efficacy and computer anxiety. Conclusion These results suggest computer literacy is lower in adults of advanced age than in those who are a few years younger. Indirect relationships were observed between age and computer self-efficacy and between age and computer anxiety. Consideration should be given to addressing discrepancies in self-efficacy and computer literacy in older adults to increase the likelihood of acceptance of Internet-based hearing health care.