Faculty of Nursing, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Canada.
National Centre for Audiology, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Int J Audiol. 2022 Sep;61(9):787-797. doi: 10.1080/14992027.2021.1983656. Epub 2021 Oct 6.
To understand the psychosocial process of how adults experience hearing loss; specifically, their readiness to accept that they may have hearing loss, and the challenges and coping strategies associated with it.
A grounded theory methodology guided the research. A patient-orientated research approach informed the study. Thirty-nine individual interviews and six focus groups were completed.
Participants included 68 individuals aged 50 years and older with self-reported hearing loss living in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The theoretical construct, 'Realising that something is just not quite right with my hearing' captured individuals' experiences as they gradually awakened to the fact that they had hearing loss. Three categories describe the process: (1) Rationalising suspicions, (2) Managing the invisible and (3) Reaching a turning point.
Many individuals do not recognise hearing loss in its early stages, although they may be already experiencing its negative effects. It is important to identify motivators to engage individuals as early as possible in their hearing health. Taking a proactive approach to hearing health can help mitigate the potential negative outcomes of hearing loss.
了解成年人如何经历听力损失的心理社会过程；具体来说，他们对自己可能存在听力损失的接受程度，以及与之相关的挑战和应对策略。
扎根理论方法指导了这项研究。以患者为导向的研究方法为这项研究提供了信息。完成了 39 次个人访谈和 6 次焦点小组。
参与者包括 68 名年龄在 50 岁及以上、自我报告有听力损失的人，他们居住在纽芬兰和拉布拉多。
理论构建“意识到我的听力有些不对劲”描述了个体逐渐意识到自己有听力损失的经历。该过程分为三个类别：（1）合理化怀疑，（2）管理无形问题，以及（3）达到转折点。
许多人在听力损失的早期阶段没有意识到这一点，尽管他们可能已经在经历其负面影响。重要的是要确定激励因素，尽早让个体参与到他们的听力健康中。采取积极主动的听力健康方法可以帮助减轻听力损失的潜在负面影响。
