Improving self-efficacy for hearing aid self-management: the early delivery of a multimedia-based education programme in first-time hearing aid users

Gomez, Rachel; Ferguson, Melanie

Abstract

© 2019, © 2019 British Society of Audiology, International Society of Audiology, and Nordic Audiological Society. Objectives: This study examined the effect of a multimedia educational programme for first-time hearing aid users (C2Hear reusable learning objects, RLOs), delivered at the hearing assessment on (1) self-efficacy for hearing aids (primary outcome), and (2) readiness for hearing rehabilitation and hearing aid knowledge (secondary outcomes). Design: A single-centre, prospective, pre-post, randomised controlled trial with two arms. The intervention group (n = 24) received RLOs, and the waitlist control group (n = 23) received a printed booklet on hearing aids. Outcomes were measured at the hearing assessment and hearing aid fitting appointments. Study sample: Fifty-six adult first-time hearing aid users attending a publicly funded audiology service. Results: The RLO group showed significantly greater improvement in self-efficacy and knowledge of hearing aids than the control group. A borderline effect of readiness for hearing rehabilitation was also found. Potential links between hearing aid self-efficacy and knowledge were identified. Conclusions: Early delivery of the RLOs results in greater hearing aid self-efficacy and knowledge at the hearing aid fitting appointment, with indications that RLOs increase readiness for hearing rehabilitation. As knowledge, self-efficacy and readiness are cornerstones of self-management, the C2Hear RLOs can prime first-time hearing aid users to better self-manage their hearing aids before they receive them.

Citation

Gomez, R., & Ferguson, M. (2020). Improving self-efficacy for hearing aid self-management: the early delivery of a multimedia-based education programme in first-time hearing aid users. International Journal of Audiology, 59(4), 272-281. https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2019.1677953

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 27, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Oct 25, 2019
• Publication Date: 2020
• Deposit Date: Nov 6, 2019
• Journal: International Journal of Audiology
• Print ISSN: 1499-2027
• Electronic ISSN: 1708-8186
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Open
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 59
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 272-281
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2019.1677953
• Keywords: Speech and Hearing; Linguistics and Language; Language and Linguistics
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3069655
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2019.1677953