Abstract
Objective To explore experienced hearing aid users’ perspectives of audiological assessments and the patient-audiologist communication dynamic during clinical interactions.
Design A qualitative study was implemented incorporating both an online focus group and online semi-structured interviews. Sessions were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Iterative-inductive thematic analysis was carried out to identify themes related to assessment and communication within audiology practice.
Study samples Seven experienced hearing aid users took part in an online focus group and 14 adults participated in semi-structured interviews (age range: 22 - 86 years; 9 males, 11 females).
Results Themes related to assessment included the unaided and aided testing procedure and relating tests to real world hearing difficulties. Themes related to communication included the importance of communication strategies, explanation of test results and patient centred care in audiology.
Conclusion To ensure that hearing aid services meet the needs of the service users, we should explore user perspectives and proactively adapt service delivery. This approach should be ongoing, in response to advances in hearing aid technology. Within audiology, experienced hearing aid users’ value 1) comprehensive, relatable hearing assessment, 2) clear, concise, deaf aware patient-audiologist communication, 3) accessible services and 4) a personalised approach to recommend suitable technology and address patient specific aspects of hearing loss.
Competing Interest Statement
The authors have declared no competing interest.
Funding Statement
This work is supported by the NIHR UCLH BRC Deafness and Hearing Problems theme (B.P PhD studentship). D.A.V was funded by an MRC Senior Fellowship in Hearing (MR/S002537/1). D.A.V and B.P are also funded by NIHR programme grant for applied research (201608). This research was funded, in whole or in part, by Wellcome Trust/Royal Society Sir Henry Dale Fellowship, (to JKB; Grant 098418/Z/12/Z).
Author Declarations
I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained.
Yes
The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below:
This study was approved by the UCL Ethics Committee (project no. 3866/001). Data was kept in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (EU 2016/679). Each participant provided written consent, personal identities were anonymised during transcription and audio recordings were subsequently destroyed.
All necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived.
Yes
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Data Availability
The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author.