Key findings about hearing loss in the working-life: a scoping review from a well-being perspective

How to remain in working life with hearing loss - health factors for a sustainable work situation

BACKGROUND

Persons with hearing loss (HL) are a vulnerable group in working life. Studies have shown that they are more likely than the general population to be in part-time work, to be unemployed, receive disability pension, and to be on sick leave. Many workers with HL also experience unhealthy work conditions, such as jobs where they experience high demands combined with low control as well as safety concerns and social isolation. There is a lack of studies that focus on factors that promote a healthy, sustainable work situation for the target group.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate health factors that contribute to a sustainable work situation for employees with HL.

METHODS

The current study was a comparative, observational study with a cross-sectional design including a clinical population of adults with HL. Comparisons were made between workers with HL "in work" and workers with HL on "HL-related sick leave".

RESULTS

Seven health factors were identified. Those "in work" experienced a healthier work environment as well as lower levels of mental strain, hearing-related work characteristics and content, cognitively demanding work content, hearing-related symptoms, energy-demanding activities, and bodily aches and pain than those on "HL-related sick leave".

CONCLUSION

The results demonstrate a clear pattern regarding health factors for a sustainable working life. The type of job was not related to whether an individual was on sick leave or working. Rather, the work climate and the content of the work mattered.

Self-esteem among Individuals with Hearing Loss: A Systematic Review

Purpose

Self-esteem is important for decision making, emotional health, and overall well-being. In individuals with hearing loss (HL), self-esteem may vary due to degree of HL, hearing devices, academic set-ups and communication strategies used by family members. This study aimed to systematically review the impact of hearing loss on self-esteem.

Method

A systematic search was conducted to identify the studies focusing on self-esteem of the individuals with HL. Four electronic databases, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and CINAHL, were used. Title screening and abstract reading were performed by two independent authors. Appropriate studies were considered for full-length reading. The references of the obtained articles were manually searched to identify eligible studies. A mixed-methods appraisal tool was used to critically appraise the included studies.

Results

Out of 1219, twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. Individuals with HL exposed to total communication had a positive impact on self-esteem. Interestingly, hearing competence of parents and siblings was linked with their self-esteem. Children with HL have higher self-esteem than normal-hearing children. Children with HL attending mainstream schooling and using cochlear implants had positive and higher self-esteem. Further, higher education level, employment, and marital status were effectively associated with self-esteem.

Conclusion

Positive self-esteem intensely improves mental and emotional well-being. Appropriate and timely provided rehabilitation accompanied by family support can induce healthier and more fulfilling social life. Additionally, healthy self-esteem can empower individuals with HL to engage in social activities diligently. To sum up, early intervention and family participation are required to improve overall quality of life.

Job satisfaction and quality of life in adult users of bone conduction hearing devices pre-and post-implantation: a 1-year follow-up study

OBJECTIVE

Hearing loss is a growing public health issue that significantly impacts both health-related quality of life and working life. This study investigates how hearing rehabilitation with bone conduction hearing implants impacts health-related quality of life and working life in adults of working age with hearing impairment.

DESIGN

This longitudinal study used data from Cochlear's Implant Recipient Observational Study to assess hearing disabilities and job satisfaction in 18-65-year-old recipients of bone conduction hearing implants. Baseline data were collected pre-implantation and patients were followed-up at 12-months post-implantation.

STUDY SAMPLE

Patient demographics, Health Utilities Index Mark 3, the Speech Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale, and self-reported employment data are presented for a sample ranging from 30 to 43 patients, pre-implantation and at 12-months follow-up following implantation with a bone conduction hearing implant.

RESULTS

Significant improvements in hearing and speech attribute, and overall health-related quality of life were observed between pre-and post-implantation. Overall hearing disability decreased post-implantation and job satisfaction improved.

CONCLUSIONS

Hearing rehabilitation using bone conduction hearing implants are shown to improve health-related quality of life, reduce hearing disability, and improve work performance and satisfaction. Results are representative of healthy and actively working users of bone conduction hearing implants.

Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version of the Emotional Communication in Hearing Questionnaire

PURPOSE

The Emotional Communication in Hearing Questionnaire (EMO-CHeQ) is designed to evaluate awareness of vocal emotion information and perception of emotion. This study sought to translate the EMO-CHeQ into Turkish in accordance with international standards and to ascertain its validity and reliability statistically by administering it to native Turkish-speaking subjects.

METHOD

This empirical study involved collecting data from participants using a scale. A total of 460 individuals, comprising 158 women and 302 men (Mage = 33.43 ± 13.14 years), participated. The data encompassed 295 subjects with normal hearing, 101 hearing aid users, and 64 cochlear implant users. Exploratory factor analysis, followed by confirmatory factor analysis, was employed to ensure construct validity. Internal consistency was assessed with Cronbach's alpha reliability analysis, and content validity was applied to examine how effectively the Turkish version of the scale fulfilled its intended purpose.

RESULTS

The total Cronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficient of the scale was .949, and the explained variance was 74.385%. The Turkish version of the EMO-CHeQ demonstrated high construct validity, internal consistency, and explanatory efficacy. The scale revealed significant differences (p < .05) in emotional communication among the normal-hearing group, hearing aid users, and cochlear implant users.

CONCLUSIONS

The Turkish adaptation of the EMO-CHeQ is a credible and robust tool for evaluating how individuals perceive emotion in speech. Emotion perception was found to be suboptimal among hearing aid users compared to cochlear implant users, although it was most proficient in those with normal hearing.

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.24520624.

The audiological rehabilitation of workers with hearing loss in the UK: a qualitative study of workers' perspectives

PURPOSE

Unaddressed hearing loss can adversely affect employment and day-to-day work-life. Efficient and effective audiology support can help optimise hearing in the workplace. This study explores the audiological rehabilitation experiences of workers with hearing loss (WHL).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-four WHL with experience of a wide range of audiology services across the UK participated in semi-structured interviews. Interviews were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Three main themes were generated: Theme 1: mixed experiences with audiology services (subdivided into two subthemes and four sub-subthemes). Theme 2: audiology role in work support (subdivided into three subthemes). Theme 3: "I think support could be improved if…" (subdivided into two subthemes).

CONCLUSION

The audiological rehabilitation for working-age adults with hearing loss needs improvements to deliver sufficient support and quality care. Some of the barriers to having better-functioning hearing healthcare require fundamental standards in healthcare quality, such as access to services, staff (including audiologists) deaf awareness, information and technology support, and personalised care that considers work-life needs. Further research is required to evaluate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of improvements, such as support that extends beyond hearing aid care, whether from audiology or non-audiology services.

Factors associated with change in the need for recovery and subjective listening effort in employees with hearing loss receiving aural rehabilitation

OBJECTIVE

Compared to normally-hearing employees, those with hearing loss suffer from higher Need For Recovery (NFR) after work. The aims of this study are to assess the NFR of employees with hearing loss before and after aural rehabilitation and to examine to what extent change in the NFR can be explained by changes in subjective listening effort, personal adjustments, communication strategies, auditory work demands, and self-reported hearing ability.

METHODS

We included patients who received aural rehabilitation in two audiological centers in the Netherlands because of hearing complaints in their work situation. Outcomes were measured by questionnaires at baseline and 3 month follow-up. The NFR before and after the rehabilitation was compared with a t test. Hierarchical multiple analyses were performed.

RESULTS

In total, 60 patients (aged 22-63, working hours ≥8 per week) participated in the study, of which 50 completed the follow-up questionnaires. The NFR was significantly lower after the aural rehabilitation (M = 45.03) compared to before the aural rehabilitation (M = 51.89), t = -3.43, p < 0.01). Change in NFR could best be explained by the change in personal adjustments (R² = 0.45, B = -1.23, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The NFR of employees with hearing loss can be improved by aural rehabilitation, but this study shows that current practices reduce the NFR only in part of the employees. Therefore, improving current practices should be considered and evaluated, for example by applying a different combination of rehabilitation components. Especially, interventions that affect personal adjustments may be promising to further reduce the NFR in employees with hearing loss.

Hearing healthcare for workers with hearing loss: audiologists' experiences and views

PURPOSE

This study explored audiologists' perspectives regarding their interactions with workers with hearing loss (WHL).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty-five audiologists working in the National Health Service (NHS) and independent companies (IC) in the UK and were thematically analysed.

RESULTS

The developed themes and sub-themes (shown in parenthesis) are (1) Current practices and routines (Same approach for most patients; Variations between hearing care services; Audiologists' personal experience of hearing loss) (2) Perceived challenges (Non-routine and challenging cases; The role of hearing technology; Concerns about lack of awareness and knowledge; Communication difficulties between services, Limited funding and resources) (3) Scope for better support (Would like to be informed; Other potential service improvements).

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed that audiologists' perceived deficiencies in the hearing rehabilitation for WHL and identified ways to improve it. Key priorities for improvement were found to include addressing audiologists' informational and training needs, facilitating WHLs' access to appointments, improving communication between services, raising awareness in the workplace, developing relevant resources and extending funding for provision of longer appointments and hearing technologies. This is the first time this information has been reported in the literature. Opportunities for conducting further research in this area are suggested.Implications for rehabilitationWorkers with hearing loss face many challenges in work life and have the option of audiologic rehabilitation to alleviate their difficulties and improve their wellbeing; however, this study suggests that workers' audiological care needs improvements.Audiologists should assess and consider patients' work needs and psychosocial concerns in consultations to provide personalised care.Audiology educational programmes, services, and the healthcare system can assist audiologists in helping workers with hearing loss by providing updated knowledge, continuous training and improved interprofessional communication and patients' access to useful resources.

Health-Related Quality of Life and Work Satisfaction in Working-Aged Adults Pre- and Post-Cochlear Implant: A Longitudinal Study

Hearing loss is a growing public health concern associated with decreased health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and a negative impact on work life. Knowledge about the long-term benefits for patients receiving cochlear implants may provide knowledge imperative for policymakers to promote better HRQoL and working life outcomes for individuals with hearing loss. The purpose of this study was to explore how HRQoL, hearing disabilities, and work satisfaction outcomes changed in working-aged adults with severe to profound hearing loss from pre- to post-receiving a cochlear implant (CI) between the baseline, year one, and year two. This longitudinal study used Cochlear's Implant Recipient Observational Study (IROS) registry data to assess HRQoL, hearing disabilities, and work satisfaction in 18-65-year-old CI recipients. Data were collected pre- and post-implantation at baseline, year one, and year two follow-up. One hundred and twenty-seven CI recipients participated in the study. Significant improvements were observed for HRQoL outcomes for hearing, speech, emotion, and health utility post-implant. Overall hearing disability decreased post-CI, and work satisfaction improved. With the increasing prevalence of hearing disabilities, this is pertinent knowledge that supports the use of CIs for hearing rehabilitation which may promote better HRQoL and work satisfaction.

Changing the narrative for hearing health in the broader context of healthy living: a call to action

OBJECTIVE

To discuss the steps necessary to facilitate hearing health care in the context of well-being and healthy living.

DESIGN

Common themes among the articles in this special supplement of the International Journal of Audiology were used to identify issues that must be addressed if audiology is to move from being hearing-focussed to taking a holistic perspective of hearing care in the context of healthy aging. These are discussed within the context of other published literature.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Three needs were identified: (i) Increased interdisciplinary education to raise awareness of the interplay between hearing and health. (ii) Increased emphasis on counselling education in audiology programs so that audiologists are equipped with the knowledge, competence and confidence to provide counselling and emotional support to their patients, beyond care. (iii) Redefinition of therapeutic goal setting and hearing outcomes to include aspects of well-being, so that audiologists can capture and patients realise that that good hearing outcomes can have a direct positive impact on a person's quality of life that extends beyond their improved ability to hear. It was emphasised that each of these needs to be considered within the context of the audiologists' scope of practice and audiologists' well-being.