Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Moser, S.
Everyday life with age-related hearing loss. Self-reported hearing handicap, coping strategies, social support and quality of life among older women and men with age-related hearing loss in Austria
Doktoratsstudium der Medizinischen Wissenschaft; Humanmedizin; [ Dissertation ] Graz Medical University; 2017. pp.
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- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Freidl Wolfgang
- Luxenberger Wolfgang
- Rasky Eva
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- Background. Age-related hearing loss is one of the most common sensory impairment in the older population. This chronic condition is associated with bio-psychosocial consequences such as cognitive decline, depression, withdrawal, isolation and hence reduced well-being. Aims. The objectives of this thesis were to investigate the perception of hearing problems among older women and men (= 55 years) with age-related hearing loss. In addition, the coping strategies they use in order to master their lives as well as perceived social support and self-reported quality of life were explored. Furthermore, the relationships between functional hearing loss and perceived hearing problems and predictors on quality of life were examined. Lastly, this study aimed at uncovering self-perceptions and experiences in order to gain a deeper understanding of consequences and influences of age-related hearing loss on daily life as well as on coping with this chronic condition. Methods and Materials. With the aid of mixed methods, quantitative data of 65 hearing impaired and 73 normal hearing elderly (comparison group) was gathered by performing a paper-and-pencil survey with standardized questionnaires in Austria: Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE), Assessment for Coping and Stress (FLB), Social Support Questionnaire (F-SozU-14) and World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF). Moreover, qualitative data about experiences with living with hearing difficulties was collected by performing guided semi-structured interviews and analyzed materials of 14 older adults with age-related hearing loss. Results. In this study, older women and men perceived most severe problems in hearing and understanding speech even when using hearing aids. In terms of quality of life, there were no significant differences between the hearing impaired participants compared to those with normal hearing ability, after controlling for covariates age, education and multi-morbidity. Within the hearing impaired group gender differences were observed, i.e., older women rated their psychological quality of life worse than did men, also after controlling for covariates. They focused rather on negative emotions provoked by challenging hearing situations whereas older men talked about enhanced quality of life due to hearing aids improving sound quality and auditory sensation. Both genders used various adaptive (e.g., ask for repetition, look for information) and maladaptive coping strategies (e.g., withdrawal, pretending), thus a wide variety of coping behavior to deal with hearing loss could be detected. Moreover, the findings highlight the role of positive and negative social support in the concerned persons’ lives and the influence of social support on quality of life. Conclusion. A patient-centered auditory rehabilitation program or counseling including objective and self-report measures, shared-decision making approach and involving family members and significant others could enhance quality of life of older adults with age-related hearing loss and quality of care in the (hearing) health care practices.