Factors that influence disclosure of hearing loss in the workplace

Abstract

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study was to identify factors that lead individuals to conceal or disclose their hearing loss in the workplace. Design: A qualitative research paradigm called qualitative description was selected to address this issue. Study sample: Twelve people who had an adult onset hearing loss, and were gainfully employed, participated in audio-recorded semi-structured interviews designed to probe issues related to disclosure of hearing loss. A photo elicitation interview technique was employed during the interviews. Content analyses were used to extract pertinent information from verbatim transcripts. Results: Five recurring themes emerged as important considerations in relation to this topic: (1) perceived importance of the situation; (2) perceived sense of control; (3) community affiliation; (4) burden of communication; and (5) coexisting issues related to hearing loss. Conclusions: The findings are discussed in relation to other concealable stigmatizing traits, stigma-theory, and social-cognitive theory. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed, with particular emphasis placed on worker self-efficacy.

Sumario

Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar los factores que llevan a los individuos a ocultar o revelar su pérdida auditiva en el lugar de trabajo. Diseño: Se escogió un paradigma cualitativo de investigación llamado descripción cualitativa para enfrentar el asunto. Muestra del Estudio: Doce sujetos con una hipoacusia adquirida en la edad adulta con empleos bien remunerados participaron en una entrevista semi-estructurada grabado en audio, diseñada para evaluar asuntos relacionados con la revelación de su problema auditivo. Se empleó una técnica de entrevista por provocación fotográfica durante la misma entrevista. Se usó un análisis de contenidos para extraer la información pertinente de las transcripciones literales. Resultados: Cinco temas recurrentes emergieron como consideraciones importantes en relación con este tópico: 1. Percepción de la importancia de la situación; 2. Percepción del sentido de control; 3. Afiliación a la comunidad; 4. Carga en la comunicación; y 5. Asuntos coexistentes relacionados con la hipoacusia. Conclusiones: Los hallazgos se discuten en relación con otros rasgos estigmatizantes ocultables, con la teoría del estigma y con la teoría social-cognitiva. Las implicaciones clínicas de estos hallazgos se discuten, con un énfasis particular puesto en la auto-eficacia del trabajador.

Key Words::

• Hearing loss
• stigma
• work
• Disclosure
• Audiologic rehabilitation (AR)
• qualitative research
• photo elicitation

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the Hear-the-World Foundation research grant awarded to Jean-Pierre Gagné (JPG) and Mary Beth Jennings (MBJ). The work of MBJ is also supported by the Canada Foundation for Innovation and the Ontario Research Fund. The work of JPG is supported by a grant from the Caroline-Durand Foundation. The investigators acknowledge the contribution of Heather Jessome in the data preparation phase of the study.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.