We found a match
Your institution may have rights to this item. Sign in to continue.
- Title
Impact of Self-Assessed Hearing Loss on a Spouse: A Longitudinal Analysis of Couples.
- Authors
Wallhagen, Margaret I.; Strawbridge, William J.; Shema, Sarah J.; Kaplan, George A.
- Abstract
Hearing loss is increasingly common among older persons and is negatively associated with health and well-being. Its impact on spouses, however, is poorly researched. This study analyzed the relationship between a spouse's self-assessed hearing loss and his or her partner's physical, psychological, and social well-being 5 years later. Spouse hearing loss increased the likelihood of subsequent poorer physical, psychological, and social well-being in partners. The negative impact of husbands' hearing loss on wives' well-being appears stronger that the reverse. Findings suggest that early diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss constitute important clinical strategies to enhance the well-being of both hearing-impaired individuals and their spouses and support policy change to cover hearing devices by insurance. Further research incorporating theoretical perspectives form communication theory and qualitative methodology would enhance understanding of how hearing loss impacts older couples and support refinement of interventions to promote quality of life.
- Subjects
PRESBYCUSIS; HEARING disorders; DEAFNESS prevention; MARITAL relations; SOCIAL conditions of older people; GERIATRIC psychiatry
- Publication
Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences & Social Sciences, 2004, Vol 59, Issue 3, pS190
- ISSN
1079-5014
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1093/geronb/59.3.S190