How Can eHealth Meet the Hearing and Communication Needs of Adults With Hearing Impairment and their Significant Others? A Group Concept Mapping Study

Impact of adult cochlear implantation on the partner relationship: a conceptual framework informed by cochlear implant recipient and partner perceptions

PURPOSE

(1) To understand the impact of adult cochlear implantation on the partner relationship, as perceived by adult cochlear implant (CI) recipients and their intimate partners. (2) To generate a conceptual framework for guiding future research and clinical adult cochlear implantation interventions.

METHOD

Concept mapping, a participatory, mixed-method approach, was used for data collection, analysis and interpretation. Participants attended sessions to generate, sort and rate statements describing the changes in their relationship due to cochlear implantation. Participants included 15 CI recipients (mean age: 51.6 years; SD: 8.2) and 12 partners (mean age: 50.9 years; SD: 8.2).

RESULTS

Five concepts emerged from the data, describing changes in the partner relationship following cochlear implantation: (1) Social Interactions, (2) Partner Involvement, (3) Communication, (4) Emotional Adjustment, and (5) Relationship Intimacy. The concept Relationship Intimacy was rated the highest in positivity and importance. Findings also underscored improved social interactions, communication dynamics, and emotional adjustment.

CONCLUSIONS

The Relationship Intimacy cluster emerged as pivotal, highlighting its essential role in improving post-implantation relationships. CI recipients experienced enhanced autonomy, while partners' roles evolved regarding assistance and support. The diverse effects of implantation on partner relationships highlight the importance of adopting a patient- and family-centered approach to audiological intervention.

Third-party disability in cochlear implant users

OBJECTIVE

To date, auditory rehabilitation mainly focuses on the person with hearing impairment (PHI). This study aimed to analyse the burden of hearing loss on significant others (SOs), and to explore the impact of contextual and mediating psychosocial co-factors and auditory rehabilitation by cochlear implantation (CI).

DESIGN AND STUDY SAMPLE

Third-party disability (SOS-HEAR) and quality of life (Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire) were evaluated in 41 PHI scheduled for CI surgery and their close partners pre- and 6-month post-implantation. Further, age, hearing status, educational level, depressive symptoms (GDS-15), coping strategies (Brief-COPE), resilience (RS-13), stress (PSQ) of SOs and PHI were studied.

RESULTS

Hearing loss imposes a burden on SOs, particularly in relation to changes in communication and socialisation. Third-party disability was higher in SOs of PHI with lower educational background (p = 0.04) and of advanced age (p = 0.008). Hearing status of SOs negatively correlated with SOS-HEAR (p = 0.04). After CI, quality of life of PHI and third-party disability of SOs improved (p < 0.001), except in relationship changes. SOs with higher pre-operative burden also experienced more third-party disability afterwards (p ≤ 0.003).

CONCLUSION

Audiological rehabilitation should expand to include SOs in the rehabilitation process, as the burden experienced by SOs might persist even after CI.

Conversation success in one-to-one and group conversation: a group concept mapping study of adults with normal and impaired hearing

OBJECTIVE

The concept of conversation success is undefined, although prior work has variously related it to accurate exchange of information, alignment between interlocutors, and good management of misunderstandings. This study aimed (1) to identify factors of conversation success and (2) to explore the importance of these factors in one-to-one versus group conversations.

DESIGN

Group concept mapping method was applied. Participants responded to two brainstorming prompts ("What does 'successful conversation' look like?" and "Think about a successful conversation you have taken part in. What aspects of that conversation contributed to its success?"). The resulting statements were sorted into related clusters and rated in importance for one-to-one and group conversation.

STUDY SAMPLE

Thirty-five adults with normal and impaired hearing.

RESULTS

Seven clusters were identified: (1) Being able to listen easily; (2) Being spoken to in a helpful way; (3) Being engaged and accepted; (4) Sharing information as desired; (5) Perceiving flowing and balanced interaction; (6) Feeling positive emotions; (7) Not having to engage coping mechanisms. Three clusters (1, 2, and 4) were more important in group than in one-to-one conversation. There were no differences by hearing group.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings emphasise that conversation success is a multifaceted concept.

Is Teleaudiology Achieving Person-Centered Care: A Review

Digital health and person-centered care are unquestionably linked in today’s Australian healthcare landscape. Teleaudiology is the application of digital health in the field of audiology, and it has become a popular component of standard audiological care. Behavior modification is essential in audiology intervention. Guidance on achieving behavior change, which is dependent on digitally enabled intervention, is a valuable resource when used in tandem to achieve person-centered care. The aim of this review is to determine whether teleaudiology achieves person-centered care. A qualitative review was conducted, followed by mapping and analysis. Analysis identified evidence of teleaudiology use, and ascertained guiding principles are appropriate to behavior change dependent digital intervention supported or enabled person-centered care. In conclusion, teleaudiology will continue to be a promising technology for promoting relatedness, a positive user experience, confidence and capability, and appropriate levels of autonomy for the user to choose from among the person-centered care options available.