The impact of owning a hearing dog on quality of life, hearing handicap, and social functioning: an Australian cohort

To determine the impact of owning a hearing dog on self-reported hearing handicap, quality of life (QoL), and social functioning. Group comparison study design, utilising five surveys (General Information Survey, Hearing Information Survey, Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly/Adults, Medical Outcomes Survey, and Social Functioning Questionnaire). 23 respondents from the 2019 Australian Lions Hearing Dog waitlist (controls) and 58 respondents from all clients who had received a hearing dog through the Australian Lions Hearing Dog service (cases). No significant difference was found in Hearing Handicap Inventory or Social Functioning Questionnaire scores between the groups, although there was a tendency for improvement with dog ownership. The owner group scored significantly lower than the waitlist group on three Medical Outcomes Survey sub-items (general health, physical functioning, and role limitations due to physical health), along with total health-related QoL. These results contrasted with the broad emotional and psychosocial benefits identified through thematic analysis of responses. It is feasible, yet not certain, that owning a hearing dog may bring a reduction in hearing handicap, as well as emotional and social benefits to the QoL of individuals, but it also appears to be associated with poorer perception of health.</p

Supplemental Material - Development of the Observable Well-Being in Living With Dementia-Scale

Supplemental Material for Development of the Observable Well-Being in Living With Dementia-Scale by Kristine G. Madsø, Nancy A. Pachana, and Inger H. Nordhus in American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease & Other Dementias®.</p

Mean pro-environmental behavioral intentions by age group and induction type.

Mean pro-environmental behavioral intentions by age group and induction type.</p

Mediation of place induction and behavioral intentions by biophilia attitudes.

***p p p < .05.</p

Impact of legacy and place inductions on pro-environmental behavioral intentions and donations to charity.

(a) Impact of Legacy and Place inductions on pro-environmental behavioral intentions. (b) Impact of Legacy and Place inductions on donations to an environmental charity. Error bars denote ±1 SEM. Control n = 394, Legacy n = 295, Place n = 299.</p

Impact of legacy and place inductions on legacy motives and biophilia scores.

(a) Impact of Legacy and Place inductions on legacy motives. (b) Impact of Legacy and Place inductions on biophilia scores. Error bars denote ±1 SEM. Control n = 394, Legacy n = 295, Place n = 299.</p

Mean donation amount by age group and induction type.

Mean donation amount by age group and induction type.</p

Mediation of place induction and donations by biophilia attitudes.

***p p p < .05.</p

Mediation of legacy induction and behavioral intentions by legacy motives.

***p p p < .05.</p

Mediation of legacy induction and donations by legacy motives.

***p p p = .171.</p