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- Title
Relationships Between Hearing Disability, Quality of Life and Wellbeing in Older Community-Based Australians.
- Authors
Hickson, Louise; Allen, Jodie; Beswick, Rachael; Fulton, Megan; Wolf, Dayna; Worrall, Linda; Scarinci, Nerina
- Abstract
The aims of this study were to: (1) investigate the relationships between measured hearing impairment and self-reported hearing and communication difficulties (i.e., activity limitations, participation restrictions), health-related quality of life and wellbeing in community-based older Australians; and (2) investigate the influence of age, gender, living situation and hearing aid use on these relationships. Data were collected from 178 older people with hearing impairment. Pure-tone audiometry was used to assess hearing impairment and self-report questionnaires were used to assess activity limitations, participation restrictions, health-related quality of life and wellbeing. Results showed a relationship between hearing impairment and activity limitations, participation restrictions and wellbeing. No relationship was found between measured hearing impairment and health-related quality of life. However, significant relationships were evident between hearing difficulties in everyday life (activity limitations and participation restrictions) and health-related quality of life. Gender, living situation and hearing aid use influenced these relationships. The results highlight the far-reaching effects of hearing impairment on the lives of older people and the importance of using self-report measures to understand this.
- Subjects
HEARING disorders -- Social aspects; QUALITY of life; SPEECH audiometry; COMMUNICATIVE disorders in old age; AUSTRALIANS; HEARING aids; HEALTH
- Publication
Australian & New Zealand Journal of Audiology, 2008, Vol 30, Issue 2, p99
- ISSN
1443-4873
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1375/audi.30.2.99