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International Journal of Audiology Volume 60, 2021 - Issue 2
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Original Articles

Identifying the approaches used by audiologists to address the psychosocial needs of their adult clients

Rebecca J. Bennetta Ear Science Institute Australia, Subiaco, Australia;b The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia;c School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, AustraliaCorrespondence[email protected]
ORCID Iconhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-9427-5539View further author information
ORCID Icon,
Caitlin Barrd Soundfair, Melbourne, Australia;e Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology, The University of Melbourne, MelbourneAustralia;ORCID Iconhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-0855-1064View further author information
ORCID Icon,
Joseph Montanof Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USAView further author information
,
Robert H. Eikelbooma Ear Science Institute Australia, Subiaco, Australia;b The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia;g Department of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South AfricaORCID Iconhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-2911-5381View further author information
ORCID Icon,
Gabrielle H. Saundersh Manchester Centre for Audiology and Deafness, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UKORCID Iconhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-9997-0845View further author information
ORCID Icon,
Marieke Pronki Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Ear & Hearing, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The NetherlandsORCID Iconhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-8472-4900View further author information
ORCID Icon,
Jill E. Premingerj Program in Audiology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USAORCID Iconhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-0202-3292View further author information
ORCID Icon,
Melanie Fergusonk Australian Hearing Hub, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia;ORCID Iconhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-8096-869XView further author information
ORCID Icon,
Barbara Weinsteinl City University of New York, New York, NY, USAView further author information
,
Eithne Heffernanm Discipline of General Practice, Clinical Science Institute, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, IrelandORCID Iconhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-4485-7658View further author information
ORCID Icon,
Lisette van Leeuweni Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Ear & Hearing, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The NetherlandsView further author information
,
Louise Hicksonc School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, AustraliaORCID Iconhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-6832-4173View further author information
ORCID Icon,
Barbra H. B. Timmerc School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia;n Sonova AG, Staefa, SwitzerlandORCID Iconhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-2753-3491View further author information
ORCID Icon,
Gurjit Singhn Sonova AG, Staefa, Switzerland;o Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada;p Department of Speech-Language Pathology, University of Toronto, Toronto, CanadaView further author information
,
Daniel Geracea Ear Science Institute Australia, Subiaco, Australia;b The University of Western Australia, Crawley, AustraliaORCID Iconhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-9244-823XView further author information
ORCID Icon,
Alex Cortisa Ear Science Institute Australia, Subiaco, Australia;b The University of Western Australia, Crawley, AustraliaView further author information
&
Sandra R. Bellekoma Ear Science Institute Australia, Subiaco, Australia;b The University of Western Australia, Crawley, AustraliaORCID Iconhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-4047-9098View further author information
ORCID Icon show all
Pages 104-114 | Received 23 Apr 2020, Accepted 27 Aug 2020, Published online: 17 Sep 2020
 
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Abstract

Objective

To identify the approaches taken by audiologists to address their adult clients’ psychosocial needs related to hearing loss.

Design

A participatory mixed methods design. Participants generated statements describing the ways in which the psychosocial needs of their adult clients with hearing loss are addressed, and then grouped the statements into themes. Data were obtained using face-to-face and online structured questions. Concept mapping techniques were used to identify key concepts and to map each of the concepts relative to each other.

Study sample

An international sample of 65 audiologists.

Results

Ninety-three statements were generated and grouped into seven conceptual clusters: Client Empowerment; Use of Strategies and Training to Personalise the Rehabilitation Program; Facilitating Peer and Other Professional Support; Providing Emotional Support; Improving Social Engagement with Technology; Including Communication Partners; and Promoting Client Responsibility.

Conclusions

Audiologists employ a wide range of approaches in their attempt to address the psychosocial needs associated with hearing loss experienced by their adult clients. The approaches described were mostly informal and provided in a non-standardised way. The majority of approaches described were not evidence-based, despite the availability of several options that are evidence-based, thus highlighting the implementation gap between research and clinical practice.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Sonova AG, Switzerland and the Ear Science Institute Australia for providing funding for this project. The authors would like to thank Audiology Australia for assisting with participant recruitment and participants for their time.

Disclosure statement

RB, CB, JM, GS, RE, DG, AC, SB, LvL, MP, JEP, BW, MF, EH, GS and LH report no conflict of interest.

BT is employed by Sonova AG as a Senior Scientist.

Additional information

Funding

The present research was financially supported by Sonova Holdings AG.

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