Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, College of Science, University of Arizona , Tucson , AZ , USA.
Department of Community, Environment & Policy, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona , Tucson , AZ , USA.
Int J Audiol. 2019 Oct;58(10):651-660. doi: 10.1080/14992027.2019.1608377. Epub 2019 Jul 22.
Aural Rehabilitation (AR) aims to minimise negative effects of hearing loss. However, there has been limited study of the lived experience of clients receiving Aural Rehabilitation services, particularly for disparity populations. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the use of an innovative qualitative approach to investigating communication in an AR setting among Hispanic/Latino older adult dyads. We developed a qualitative phenomenology approach using observation methods to document and analyse how individuals experience living with acquired hearing loss within group AR. Trained observers collected systematic, detailed notes on observations of participants over the course of a 5-week community-based AR intervention. In partnership with audiologists, Community Health Workers facilitated the intervention, which focussed on decreasing negative communication impacts of hearing loss for families. Audiometric data and subjective hearing disability results, using the HHIE-S Spanish version, are presented as additional context for observation outcomes. Participants were older Hispanic/Latino adults with hearing loss and their frequent communication partners (five dyads). Four themes related to the experience of communication emerged among dyads in the intervention: (i) emotions related to hearing loss (ii) communication dynamics, (iii) self-management of hearing loss, and (iv) hearing health advocacy. A mixed methods approach that includes group observation would contribute substantially to comprehensively evaluating group AR interventions.
听觉康复（AR）旨在将听力损失的负面影响降至最低。然而，对于接受听觉康复服务的客户的生活体验，尤其是对于差异人群，研究有限。本研究的目的是展示一种创新的定性方法在研究西班牙语裔/拉丁裔老年成人二人组的听觉康复环境中的沟通中的应用。我们采用了一种定性现象学方法，使用观察方法记录和分析个体在群体听觉康复中如何体验获得性听力损失。经过培训的观察员在为期 5 周的基于社区的听觉康复干预过程中对参与者进行了系统、详细的观察记录。社区卫生工作者与听力学家合作，促进了这项干预措施，重点是减少家庭因听力损失而产生的负面沟通影响。听力计数据和使用 HHIE-S 西班牙语版本的主观听力障碍结果，作为观察结果的附加背景呈现。参与者是有听力损失的老年西班牙语裔/拉丁裔成年人及其经常的沟通伙伴（五对二人组）。干预组中的二人组出现了四个与沟通体验相关的主题：（i）与听力损失相关的情绪，（ii）沟通动态，（iii）听力损失的自我管理，和（iv）听力健康宣传。一种包括小组观察的混合方法将大大有助于全面评估小组听觉康复干预措施。
