Lack of ear care knowledge in nursing homes

Figures & data

Table 1 Demographic characteristics of the study population (n=195)

	n (%)
Sex
Females	169 (87)
Males	26 (13)
Age (years)
<20	3 (2)
20–29	35 (20)
30–39	46 (26)
40–49	39 (22)
50–59	42 (24)
≥60	11 (6)
Employment (%)
100	93 (48)
≈75	68 (35)
≤50	34 (17)
Position
Care assistant/unskilled/student	36 (18)
Auxiliary nurse/health care worker/activity therapist	95 (49)
Nurse/social educator/ergonomist	61 (31)
Other	3 (2)

Figure 1 Agreement on knowledge, experiences, skills, and expressed need for information on hearing loss and HA use (n=192).

Abbreviation: HA, hearing aid.

Table S1 Knowledge, skills and information needs on residents hearing loss and hearing aids

Statements	Strongly agree	Slightly agree	Neutral	Slightly disagree	Strongly disagree
Knowledge and experience
I have received training in the use and care of hearing aids	11	12	26	15	36
Many residents need help with their hearing aids	73	10	9	5	3
I have adequate knowledge about the residents’ hearing aids	10	19	29	25	17
It is my experience that residents are socially isolated due to hearing loss	57	21	14	3	5
I emphasize lighting and sound conditions when talking to residents	33	36	25	4	2
More residents would benefit from having hearing aids	49	29	16	3	3
Skills and competence
I can turn hearing aids on and off	77	9	5	2	7
I can tell the difference between the right and the left hearing aid	57	14	16	5	8
I always check the battery’s +/− side before inserting it into the hearing aid	51	13	18	7	11
I know the approximate life of a hearing aid battery	14	15	17	20	34
Many residents’ hearings aids whistle/squeal	30	20	27	14	9
I often cannot help residents with their hearing aids	10	25	28	19	18
I take steps to make sure that residents receive (new) hearing aids	21	20	32	12	15
I change the tubes in the hearing aids	12	10	22	21	35
Hearing aids are not used because residents do not master their use	25	27	23	11	14
It is my impression that residents are pleased with their hearing aids	13	17	57	9	4
Residents who use hearing aids are checked regularly for earwax	15	19	32	16	18
Residents who use hearing aids have their earmolds cleaned regularly	13	17	36	24	10
Sometimes the earmolds do not fit the ear	12	26	35	16	11
Information needs
Hearing loss among the elderly	43	37	12	7	1
Different types of hearing aid	63	25	7	5	0
Hearing aid maintenance and cleaning	49	32	9	7	3
Hearing technology (hearing loops, etc)	44	32	13	8	3
Contact person for residents’ hearing aids	35	33	23	6	3
Contact person for residents’ hearing devices	37	32	20	8	3
Legislation on hearing aids, hearing devices, etc	50	27	14	5	4
Hearing tactics (good lighting and sound conditions, conversation techniques)	51	32	9	6	2

Notes: n=192. Data shown as %.