Pilot evaluation of a protocol and a clinical tool developed to assess the audiological needs of adults with hearing loss

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the Québec Audiological Assessment Protocol for Younger and Older Adults (QAAP-YOA) and its accompanying clinical tool efficacy to assess the needs of individuals with hearing loss in a simulated context. This study is the Phase 2 in the development of the QAAP-YOA. Design: Participants completed two needs assessments with simulated clients and wrote audiological reports, while applying the QAAP-YOA with and without the use of its clinical tool. Interviews were filmed, and reports collected. Both were scored by two independent evaluators. A qualitative analysis of reports was also conducted. Study sample: Eleven audiology students and four early-career audiologists (n = 15). Results: The clinical tool did not influence the interview process since both experimental conditions had similar compliance rates to the protocol (p = 0.114). Compliance rates for assessment reports were higher with the clinical tool (p < 0.001). Participants’ conclusions after applying the QAAP-YOA were consistent across participants. The information provided in the reports was more comprehensive and coherent with the client’s needs when participants used the clinical tool. Conclusions: The QAAP-YOA can lead to a greater standardisation of needs assessments and to more comprehensive reports, which may lead to intervention programs more closely aligned with clients’ needs.

Keywords:

• Audiology
• needs assessment
• persons with hearing loss
• simulated clients
• International Classification of Functioning
• Disability and Health
• client-centered care

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the Québec Ministry of Health and Social Services. The first author (MH) received a postdoctoral fellowship award from the Fonds de recherche du Québec en santé and from the Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal. Additional funds were provided by the Endowed research Chair of the Fondation Caroline Durand en audition et vieillissement de l’Université de Montréal, held by J-PG, and by the Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche en réadaptation et intégration sociale.