Audiological approaches to address the psychosocial needs of adults with hearing loss: perceived benefit and likelihood of use

To explore the perceived benefit and likely implementation of approaches used by audiologists to address their adult clients’ psychosocial needs related to hearing loss. Adults with hearing loss and audiologists completed separate, but related, surveys to rate their perceived benefit and also their likely use of 66 clinical approaches (divided over seven themes) that aim to address psychosocial needs related to hearing loss. A sample of 52 Australian adults with hearing loss, and an international sample of 19 audiologists. Overall, participants rated all of the approaches highly on both benefit and likelihood of use; the highest ranked theme was Providing Emotional Support. Cohort comparisons showed that audiologists ranked the approaches significantly higher than did adults with hearing loss. Overall, participants ranked the themes higher on benefit than on the likelihood to use scales. Adults with hearing loss and audiologists recognise the importance of approaches that address the psychosocial impacts of hearing loss in audiological rehabilitation. However, both groups placed slightly greater value on the internal-based approaches (the clients own emotional response, empowerment, and responsibility), and slightly less emphasis on the external-based approaches (being supported by communication partners, support groups or other health professionals).

本数据集旨在探讨听觉学家针对成年听力受损患者心理社会需求所采用的方法的感知益处及其可能的实施情况。参与研究的成年听力受损患者与听觉学家分别完成了两个相互关联但独立的调查，以评估他们对于66种临床方法（分为七个主题）的感知益处及其可能的采用情况。这些方法旨在解决与听力损失相关的心理社会需求。样本包括52名澳大利亚成年听力受损患者和19名国际听觉学家。总体而言，参与者对所有方法在益处和采用可能性方面均给予了高度评价；排名第一的主题为提供情感支持。队列比较显示，听觉学家对这些方法的评价显著高于听力受损的成年患者。总体而言，参与者认为各主题在益处方面的评价高于其在采用可能性方面的评价。听力受损的成年患者与听觉学家均认识到，在听觉康复中解决听力损失心理社会影响的方法具有重要意义。然而，两组均更重视基于内部的方法（客户自身的情感反应、赋权与责任感），而对基于外部的方法（由沟通伙伴、支持小组或其他卫生专业人员提供支持）的关注度相对较低。