Life Consequences of Hearing Loss in Terms of Activity Limitation and Participation Restriction

Abstract

The consequences of hearing loss in terms of perceived activity limitation and participation restriction were studied in a general population of 343 adults with hearing impairment using the Hearing Disability and Handicap Scale. Coping was measured by the Sense of Humour Questionnaire and the Communication Strategies Scale and combined with objective and subjective audiological variables and demographic factors (age, gender and education). In stepwise linear modelling, several variables contributed significantly to the outcome (adjusted R²=53.3% for activity limitation and 47.2% for participation restriction). Audiological factors explained most of the variance in activity limitation (R²=37.1%), while coping factors were the main predictors for participation restriction (R²=35.2%). Maladaptive behaviour in the Communication Strategies Scale was the strongest predictor and explained 13.7% and 32.4% of the variance in activity limitation and participation restriction, respectively. More frequent use of maladaptive behaviour was related to larger limitation and restriction. This study adds to the understanding of factors that negatively influence daily life in terms of activity limitation and participation restriction. This may in turn have consequences for aural rehabilitation efforts.

This research was funded by the Faculty of Medicine, NTNU and St Olav's University Hospital Trondheim, Norway. The authors thank the staff at the Oupatient ENT Department, St Olav's Hospital and are particularly grateful that Haakon Arnesen, MD and Siri Wennberg, BSc made the study possible through their co-operation. The authors also thank Anders Ringdahl, MD PhD for his help with the audiology questions as well as Hanne Thürmer, MD PhD and Mette Bratt, MD for their most valuable assistance with translations of the inventories and language advice.

Anne-Sofie Helvik is a registered nurse with masters’ degree in nursing science. Her research area is coping and life consequences of hearing impairment in adults. Geir W. Jacobsen is a MD and Doctor of Public Health (DrPH). His research area is perinatal epidemiology and social medicine. Lillemor R.-M. Hallberg, psychologist and registered nurse, is a professor in public health and health care sciences. Her main research area concerns life consequences of acquired hearing loss in adults.