International survey of audiologists during the COVID-19 pandemic: effects on mental well-being of audiologists

Abstract

Objective

The aim of the study was to examine the mental well-being of audiologists in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, between 23 June and 13 August 2020. A self-report survey included screening measures for psychological distress (PHQ-4: anxiety and depression) and loneliness (UCLA-3).

Study sample

239 audiologists from around the world.

Results

The prevalence of psychological distress was 12.1% (subscales for anxiety 16.3% and depression 10.4%), and loneliness 32.2%. Depression and loneliness were higher in those participants self-reporting perceived job insecurity, with psychological distress (anxiety and depression) higher in those from South Africa. Accessibility to Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) appears to be a protective factor.

Conclusions

Well-being interventions, such as EAPS, are needed to support audiologists during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords:

• Psychological
• depression
• anxiety
• loneliness
• audiologist
• audiology

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank participants for devoting their time to this study, the International Society of Audiology (ISA) for distributing the survey to their members and affiliated societies, and also Megan Knoetze for her help in creating the online survey and Dr. Mansoureh Nickbakht for assisting with the data analysis.

Disclosure statement

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