“Something is just not right with my hearing”: early experiences of adults living with hearing loss

Abstract

Objective

To understand the psychosocial process of how adults experience hearing loss; specifically, their readiness to accept that they may have hearing loss, and the challenges and coping strategies associated with it.

Design

A grounded theory methodology guided the research. A patient-orientated research approach informed the study. Thirty-nine individual interviews and six focus groups were completed.

Study sample

Participants included 68 individuals aged 50 years and older with self-reported hearing loss living in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Results

The theoretical construct, ‘Realising that something is just not quite right with my hearing’ captured individuals’ experiences as they gradually awakened to the fact that they had hearing loss. Three categories describe the process: (1) Rationalising suspicions, (2) Managing the invisible and (3) Reaching a turning point.

Conclusions

Many individuals do not recognise hearing loss in its early stages, although they may be already experiencing its negative effects. It is important to identify motivators to engage individuals as early as possible in their hearing health. Taking a proactive approach to hearing health can help mitigate the potential negative outcomes of hearing loss.

Keywords:

• Grounded theory
• hearing loss
• help-seeking
• patient-oriented research

Acknowledgements

The authors thank all the participants who took part in the study, Patient-Advisory Council, Canadian Hard of Hearing Association, Newfoundland and Labrador (CHHA-NL), as well as the funding agencies that made this research possible.

Author contributions

All authors helped design the study. AP, AG and JSY were involved in data collection. AP and JSY were involved in data analysis. All authors were involved in writing and reviewing the final manuscript.

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by a Newfoundland and Labrador SUPPORT Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) Grant, Memorial University of Newfoundland, ACOA-CIF funds and the Excite Corporation.