(function(doc, html, url) {
var widget = doc.createElement("div");
widget.innerHTML = html;
var script = doc.currentScript; // e = a.currentScript;
if (!script) {
var scripts = doc.scripts;
for (var i = 0; i < scripts.length; ++i) {
script = scripts[i];
if (script.src && script.src.indexOf(url) != -1) break;
}
}
script.parentElement.replaceChild(widget, script);
}(document, '
What is it about?
This scoping review screened 1,752 studies and included 16 that analyzed online communities to gain insights on hearing aid (HA) and cochlear implant (CI) use. Three analytic approaches were identified—manual text coding, computational text analysis, and audiovisual content analysis—each offering distinct insights into patient narratives, sentiment patterns, and educational content. Online platforms were frequently used to share lived experiences, disseminate medical information, and provide peer support, highlighting their value for understanding HA and CI user perspectives.
Why is it important?
This scoping review is timely as social media and online forums are increasingly shaping health decisions, yet their role in hearing healthcare remains underexplored. By systematically mapping how patient-generated content about hearing aids and cochlear implants has been studied across platforms and analytic approaches, this work provides the first unified framework for leveraging online communities as a credible source of patient insight. The findings can help clinicians, researchers, and device developers better understand real-world patient experiences, ultimately informing more patient-centered care, device design, and health communication strategies.