Speech, hearing, and communication across five national disability surveys: Results of a DISTAB study using the ICF to compare prevalence patterns

Abstract

This paper describes how the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) can be used as a statistical tool and addresses the implications of the DISTAB study in which speech, hearing and communication prevalence rates were examined in adults across five countries—Canada, France, the Netherlands, South Africa and the United States. The implications of the study results for hearing and swallowing disorders as well as the methodological issues raised by the DISTAB study are described. The authors also address the role of ICF and related methodologies such as cross-walking and the inclusion of persons with communication disorders in future surveys. They recommend that all areas of functioning covered by communication disorders be fully explored in ICF to maximize the use of ICF as a force for social policy.

Keywords:

• World Health Organization
• ICF
• epidemiology
• prevalence
• communication
• speech-language pathology
• adults