Validation of a new approach for screening older adults for handicapping hearing impairment.
Item
-
Title
-
Validation of a new approach for screening older adults for handicapping hearing impairment.
-
Identifier
-
AAI9997111
-
identifier
-
9997111
-
Creator
-
Milstein, Doron.
-
Contributor
-
Adviser: Barbara E. Weinstein
-
Date
-
2001
-
Language
-
English
-
Publisher
-
City University of New York.
-
Subject
-
Health Sciences, Audiology | Gerontology
-
Abstract
-
Despite the high prevalence of hearing loss among older adults, relatively few elderly people undergo audiological evaluations and obtain hearing aids, although hearing aids can be beneficial. Hearing impairment negatively effects the elderly person's daily functioning, justifying the need for an efficient hearing screening protocol. Traditional hearing screening protocols are associated with low compliance with follow-up/rehabilitation recommendations. Research suggests that counseling and understanding of the medical condition and its consequences can improve compliance with recommendations.;This research was designed to compare the feasibility and effectiveness of the traditional approach (screening with no counseling) with that of a new informative approach (screening plus counseling), in order to examine the following main research question: Will the new informative screening approach be associated with a statistically higher compliance with follow-up recommendations than the traditional approach? A total of 147 elderly subjects were randomly assigned to either the control (traditional) or experimental (informative) group, and compliance with follow-up recommendations was compared.;Results revealed that the experimental condition did not lead to greater compliance. In fact, subjects in the control condition were more likely to comply than those in the experimental condition. However, the difference between experimental and control conditions was, at best, marginal. Based on HHIE-S scores and follow-up audiograms, the population of the present sample, from senior centers, seems to be less in need of audiological rehabilitation, so the compliance rate might not be due to the screening protocol. It is possible that the same protocol, including the experimental condition/counseling videotape, would yield a higher compliance rate if tested with a different population/setting (e.g., a geriatric clinic) that is more in need of audiological rehabilitation.;Thus, in spite of the present study results, future research should continue to study the effectiveness of counseling. Furthermore, explanatory programs regarding hearing loss should be viewed as an integral part of the screening process. It is possible that increasing public knowledge regarding hearing loss may result in increased readiness of individuals to accept treatment and consequently in better compliance once they arrive at the hearing screening. That in turn might improve the overall effectiveness of screening programs.
-
Type
-
dissertation
-
Source
-
PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
-
degree
-
Ph.D.
