Background: The prevalence of hearing impairment rises as ageing occurs and many individuals residing in aged care facilities live with some level of hearing loss. Of the aged care facility residents who have hearing impairment, many use hearing aids. Nurses and staff who work with the residents are often required to assist in the daily use and upkeep of these hearing aids. From a limited amount of international research, pre-service training for nurses appears to lack education and practical information about hearing impairment and supporting residents with hearing aids and strategies specifically intended to improve communication with the hearing impaired. Currently there is no New Zealand data on what rest home nurses know about hearing impairment, hearing aids and specific strategies to enhance communication with hearing impaired residents. Obtaining data on levels of knowledge and potential gaps in knowledge will help inform the current curricula or the design of formal training in these areas for New Zealand nurses and other rest home and health care workers.
Aim: This study set out to investigate the basic knowledge and understanding about hearing impairment, hearing aids and strategies used to enhance communication among registered nurses working in New Zealand rest homes. A gap in the knowledge may suggest a need for the provision of relevant pre- and in-service training to achieve more holistic and client-centred care.
Methods: A survey was developed based on previous studies and questionnaires. A mixed method design incorporated both qualitative and quantitative questions in the online survey. The survey link was distributed to the participants via email.
Results: A total of 40 participants were recruited. All were New Zealand registered nurses working in a rest home. There were varying levels of knowledge among the participants and many of the respondents did not appear to have sufficient knowledge on hearing loss, hearing aids as well as communication strategies. Many reported that they have not received previous training in these areas. Many respondents also reported a need for training in these areas particularly on hearing aids and communication strategies particularly with those who have more moderate to severe levels of hearing loss.
Conclusions: The results were consistent with international research findings. The knowledge gap among rest home-based nurses suggests that registered nurses and other staff members working in rest homes could benefit from further education and practical training. Ideally rest home staff would receive training before starting to work in a facility and that regular in-service sessions be provided to ensure up-to-date knowledge on hearing aids and communication strategies to support residents with hearing loss
