A qualitative investigation of decision making during help-seeking for adult hearing loss

Abstract

Objective: The Any Qualified Provider framework in the National Health Service has changed the way adult audiology services are offered in England. Under the new rules, patients are being offered a choice in geographical location and audiology provider. This study aimed to explore how choices in treatment are presented and to identify what information patients need when they are seeking help with hearing loss. Design: This study adopted qualitative methods of ethnographic observations and focus group interviews to identify information needed prior to, and during, help-seeking. Observational data and focus group data were analysed using the constant comparison method of grounded theory. Study sample: Participants were recruited from a community Health and Social Care Trust in the west of England. This service incorporates both an Audiology and a Hearing Therapy service. Twenty seven participants were involved in focus groups or interviews. Results: Participants receive little information beyond the detail of hearing aids. Participants report little information that was not directly related to uptake of hearing aids. Conclusions: Participant preferences were not explored and limited information resulted in decisions that were clinician-led. The gaps in information reflect previous data on clinician communication and highlight the need for consistent information on a range of interventions to manage hearing loss.

Key Words:

• Adult audiology
• decision aid
• hearing aid
• option grid
• shared decision making

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Corrigendum

Acknowledgements

We wish to thank the participating clinicians and patients. We also wish to express particular thanks to Melanie Ward for her support. The methods and early reports were presented at the British Academy of Audiology conference 2014 and the Hearing Across the Lifespan conference in 2016, a poster presenting key findings was presented at the British Academy of Audiology conference 2015.

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Funding information

This project was supported by a British Society of Audiology Stuart Gatehouse Award.