The effect of hearing impairment in older people on the spouse

The prevalence of hearing impairment (HI) in older people and its detrimental effects on their quality of life and well-being is well known. To date however, there have been few studies investigating the impact on the person's spouse. To investigate this topic, a qualitative study consisting of in-depth interviews was conducted with five female and five male spouses of older people with HI. The aims of the study were: (1) to describe the spouses' experiences of living with someone with a HI; (2) to describe the effect of HI on the couples' communication and relationship; and (3) to identify coping strategies adopted by spouses. An interpretive analysis revealed four themes that described the experience of spouses of older people with HI: (1) the broad ranging effects of the HI on the spouses' everyday lives; (2) the spouses' need to constantly adapt to their partners' HI; (3) the effect of acceptance of the HI on the spouse; and (4) the impact of ageing and retirement. Spouses in this study experienced a wide range of effects as a result of their partners' HI. Implications for audiological rehabilitation are discussed

An investigation of factors that influence help-seeking for hearing impairment in older adults

Objective: To examine the influence of audiological and non-audiological factors on help-seeking for hearing impairment (HI) in older adults. Design: A retrospective research design was employed. Participants completed 14 measures, after which two multivariate, multinomial logistic regression models were fitted to the data to determine which factors were associated with consultation for HI and hearing aid uptake. Study sample: Three-hundred-and-seven individuals who were 60 years or older and who presented with a unilateral or bilateral HI participated in the study. Non-hearing aid owners were assigned to a non-consulter group (n = 55) or a consulter group (n = 92); hearing aid owners were assigned to an unsuccessful hearing aid owner group (n = 75) or a successful hearing aid owner group (n = 85). Results: A similar combination of factors was associated with the decisions to consult a health professional about HI and/or to adopt hearing aids. The most important factors related to attitudinal beliefs (e.g. perceived benefits of hearing aids) and external cues to action (e.g. support from significant others). Greater HI also influenced consultation and adoption of hearing aids. Conclusions: Findings highlight the importance of non-audiological factors in hearing rehabilitation to improve consultation for HI and hearing aid adoption