Hearing Aid Review Appointments: Attendance and Effectiveness

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Rebecca J. Bennett ◽  
Erin Kosovich ◽  
Steff Cohen ◽  
Cara Lo ◽  
Kevin Logan ◽  
...  

Purpose This study aimed to (a) identify participant factors associated with hearing aid review (HAR) appointment attendance, (b) investigate whether the completion of self-report survey identifying hearing aid–related problems affects HAR appointment attendance, and (c) investigate whether hearing aid problems and hearing aid management deficiencies are adequately addressed during HAR appointments. Method A prospective cohort study of adult hearing aid owners recruited from a single hearing clinic in Western Australia. Potential participants were invited to an annual HAR appointment via postal letter. The invitation included a paper-based self-report survey evaluating either (a) hearing aid problems, (b) hearing aid management skills, or (c) hearing aid outcomes, depending on which intervention/control group the potential participants were assigned to, and a reply paid addressed envelope. Two months later, potential participants were sent all three paper-based self-report surveys, irrespective of whether they had attended or not attended an HAR appointment. Results (a) There was no significant difference in gender or source of funding for hearing services between HAR appointment attendees and nonattendees. HAR nonattendees lived a greater distance from their clinic and were younger than attendees. (b) Survey completion did not influence HAR appointment attendance rates. (c) A significant reduction in individuals' self-reported hearing aid problems was recorded following the attendance at the HAR appointment. No significant changes in hearing aid management skills or overall hearing aid outcomes were detected. Conclusions Long travel distances may be a barrier to attendance at review appointments. HAR appointments appear to be effective in improving hearing aid problems.

Author(s):  
P J Clamp ◽  
K De-Loyde ◽  
A R Maw ◽  
S Gregory ◽  
J Golding ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective This study aimed to analyse social, health and environmental factors associated with the development of chronic otitis media by age nine. Method This was a prospective, longitudinal, birth cohort study of 6560 children, reviewed at age nine. Chronic otitis media defined as previous surgical history or video-otoscopic changes of tympanic membrane retraction, perforation or cholesteatoma. Non-affected children were used as the control group. Results Univariate analysis demonstrated an association between chronic otitis media and otorrhoea, snoring, grommet insertion, adenoidectomy, tonsillectomy, hearing loss, abnormal tympanograms and preterm birth. Multivariate analysis suggests many of these factors may be interrelated. Conclusion The association between chronic otitis media and otorrhoea, abnormal tympanograms and grommets supports the role of the Eustachian tube and otitis media (with effusion or acute) in the pathogenesis of chronic otitis media. The role of snoring, adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy is unclear. Associations suggested by previous studies (sex, socioeconomic group, parental smoking, maternal education, childcare, crowding and siblings) were not found to be significant predictors in this analysis.


2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (06) ◽  
pp. 516-532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca J. Bennett ◽  
Carly J. Meyer ◽  
Robert H. Eikelboom

AbstractClinical studies have found up to 90% of hearing aid owners demonstrate difficulty with basic hearing aid management tasks and almost 50% of hearing aid owners self-report not receiving enough practical help from their clinician regarding how to use their hearing aid. Although studies have highlighted the overwhelming amount of information and training required to learn how to use a hearing aid appropriately, a gap remains in the literature regarding the range of methods by which hearing aid owners acquire the knowledge and skills for hearing aid use, and whether these approaches are considered beneficial.To gain insight into how both hearing aid owners and hearing health clinicians view the acquisition of hearing aid management skills and the efficacy of currently used methods of hearing aid training.Concept mapping techniques were used to identify key themes, wherein participants generated, sorted, and rated the importance of statements in response to the question “How do hearing aid owners learn the skills required to use, handle, manage, maintain, and care for their hearing aids?”Twenty-four hearing aid owners (aged 56–91 years; 54.2% male) and 22 clinicians (aged 32–69 years; 9.1% male).Participant perspectives were collected via group concept mapping sessions in October 2015. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to identify themes and develop a framework for understanding how skill acquisition occurs. Participants rated each method of hearing aid skill acquisition as to how beneficial it was and how often it was used.Participants identified 75 unique items describing how hearing aid management skills are acquired within six concepts: (1) Relationship with the clinician, (2) clinician as a source of knowledge and support, (3) hands-on experience, (4) seeking additional information, (5) asking support people for help, and (6) external resources.The results of this study highlight the diverse methods and sources by which hearing aid owners learn the skills necessary to use, manage, and maintain their hearing aids. Significant emphasis was placed on the role of the hearing health clinician to provide training, support, and an ongoing professional relationship, with lesser roles played by family, friends, and other health professionals.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Athar Rasekhjahromi ◽  
Masoumeh Hosseinpoor ◽  
Farzaneh Alipour ◽  
Mehrnoosh Maalhagh ◽  
Saeed Sobhanian

Background. The aim of this study was to assess the association between herbal medication and OHSS.Methods. This retrospective cohort study was conducted with 101 polycystic ovary syndrome patients. 66 patients took conventional pharmacological medications and 35 took herbal medications. Data were analyzed by statistical test including Fisher’s Exact and binominal logistic regression.P<0.05was considered significant.Results. Of the 101 females, 53 were married and 48 were single. There was no significant association between the groups in marriage. No significant association was found in mean age between the two groups (23.9 ± 5.8 years in the control group versus 26.3 ± 6.7 years in the case group). There was a significant difference between the two groups .After adding the dependent (OHSS prevalence) and independent (marriage and group) variables into the model, the Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed suitability. Variances analyzed with this model ranged between 29.4% and 40.7%.Conclusion. The indiscriminate use of herbs is correlated with OHSS. Because patients increasingly consume herbs, they should be aware of potential side effects. However, appropriate dosages of herbs could be obtained for use instead of conventional treatments, which often have side effects.


1987 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Elsass ◽  
G. Kinsella

SynopsisThis paper describes research which sought to investigate and describe the interpersonal relationships and vulnerability to psychiatric disturbance in severely closed head injured subjects. The head injured subjects were severely injured, with mild or extremely severely injured individuals being excluded from this study. Self-report by the injured individual was compared with relatives' reports. Fifteen head injured people were individually matched with non-head injured people from the general population who acted as controls. Each subject nominated one ‘close other’ for comparative interview. The dependent variables included interpersonal relationships, non-psychotic psychiatric disturbance and behavioural change.The head injured group differed significantly from the control group in the quantity of interaction but not in the perceived quality of interaction. The groups differed significantly on behavioural change. No significant difference was found between responses given by the head injured and their ‘close other’ compared with the controls. Deficient quantity of interpersonal relationships and greater vulnerability to psychiatric disorders was shown in this sample. Further research on the assessment of long-term social outcome and psychiatric stability in the head injured could assist in the improved long-term rehabilitation of the survivors.


2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 9008-9008
Author(s):  
Donna Lynn Berry ◽  
Fangxin Hong ◽  
Barbara Halpenny ◽  
Qian Wang ◽  
Ann H. Partridge ◽  
...  

9008 Background: Attending to symptoms and side effects promotes safe and effective delivery of cancer therapies. Providing focus to the patient’s report in the clinic can efficiently address the most important concerns, without extending visit times. The web-based electronic self report assessment for cancer (ESRA-C) and clinician summary has been shown to improve patient-clinician communication about symptoms and quality of life issues (SQI). The purpose of this trial was to evaluate the impact of an enhanced ESRA-C intervention (ESRA-C INT) on symptom outcomes. Methods: Patients (planned N=702) with all cancer types treated in stem cell transplant, medical oncology and radiation oncology at two comprehensive cancer centers used ESRA-C to self-report SQI during and after new anti-cancer therapy, with summary reports delivered to clinicians. Patients were randomized to standard ESRA-C (control) or ESRA-C INT adding the opportunity to self-monitor SQI between clinic visits and receive self-care SQI management education, plus custom coaching on how to report SQI to clinicians, all delivered via a secure web sites. We analyzed the intervention effect on Symptom Distress Scale (SDS) scores using a two-sided t-test and multivariate linear regression, adjusting for pre-selected covariates, including baseline SDS, age, service, and work status. Results: Among 757 patients (increased N due to involuntary attrition), demographic variables were balanced between groups except age (t=2.13; p=.03) with a younger INT group (mean 1.97 year difference). Of the 562 patients who completed final reports, the control group reported significantly higher SDS scores (t= 1.98; p = .048). A significant interaction between study group and age was observed; significantly lower SDS scores were found in the ESRA-C INT group among patients > 50 years (-1.95; p=.002), and no significant difference among patients < 50. Conclusions: Adding self-care and communication coaching to ESRA-C, a system to allow self-report and clinician notification of SQI, reduced symptom distress in a large sample of patients during and after active cancer treatment compared with ESRA-C alone. Patients over the age of 50, in particular, may benefit from the intervention.


2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (03) ◽  
pp. 248-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hashir Aazh ◽  
Brian C. J. Moore

AbstractThis article reviews and critically analyzes the design of studies on the effect of audiological rehabilitation (AR) programs on hearing aid (HA) outcomes, in order to guide future research.The design of this study was a narrative review. Studies were included in the review if they were randomized controlled trials that investigated the effects of AR on HA use and outcome between 2000 and 2016.Seven articles that met the inclusion criteria were included in the review. Most used educational rather than counseling approaches. Although educational AR programs seem to be useful in enhancing the use of communication strategies, there is limited evidence for their effect on HA use and self-perceived hearing handicap.More research is needed in this field. Future studies should (1) investigate the efficacy of AR interventions based on counseling and empathetic listening as opposed to or in addition to educational interventions, (2) use stricter criteria to include only a subpopulation of patients who do not get on well with their HAs, (3) measure the amount of HA use via data-logging and self-report questionnaires, and (4) use a matching comparison intervention for patients in the control group.


2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 306-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas J. Chermack ◽  
Laura M. Coons ◽  
Gregory O’barr ◽  
Shiva Khatami

Purpose The purpose of this research is to examine the effects of scenario planning on participant ratings of resilience. Design/methodology/approach The research design is a quasi experimental pretest/posttest with treatment and control groups. Random selection or assignment was not achieved. Findings Results show a significant difference in reports of resilience for the scenario planning treatment group and no significant difference for the control group. Research limitations/implications Limitations include the use of self-report perception measures, possible social desirability of responses and a lack of random selection and assignment. Practical implications Practical implications imply that scenario planning can be viewed as a legitimate tool for increasing resilience in organizations. Social implications Organizations with an ability to adjust quickly and recover from difficult conditions means reduced layoffs and healthy economic growth. Originality/value While there is increasing research on scenario planning, to date, none has examined the effects of scenarios on resilience.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Hui ◽  
Melvin B Marzan ◽  
Stephanie Potenza ◽  
Daniel Lorber Rolnik ◽  
Natasha Pritchard ◽  
...  

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with a worsening of perinatal outcomes in many settings due to the combined impacts of maternal COVID-19 disease, disruptions to maternity care, and overloaded health systems. In 2020, Melbourne endured a unique natural experiment where strict lockdown conditions were accompanied by very low COVID-19 case numbers and the maintenance of health service capacity. The aim of this study was to compare stillbirth and preterm birth rates in women who were exposed or unexposed to lockdown restrictions during pregnancy. Design: Retrospective multi-centre cohort study of perinatal outcomes before and during COVID-19 lockdown Setting: Birth outcomes from all 12 public maternity hospitals in metropolitan Melbourne Inclusion criteria: Singleton births without congenital anomalies from 24 weeks gestation. The lockdown-exposed cohort were those women for whom weeks 20- 40 of gestation would have occurred during the lockdown period of 23 March 2020 to 14 March 2021. The control cohort comprised all pregnancies in the corresponding periods one and two years prior to the exposed cohort. Main outcome measures. Odds of stillbirth, preterm birth (PTB), birth weight less than 3rd centile, and iatrogenic PTB for fetal compromise, adjusting for multiple covariates. Results: There were 24,017 births in the exposed and 50,017 births in the control group. There was a significantly higher risk of preterm, but not term, stillbirth in the exposed group compared with the control group (0.26% vs 0.18%, aOR 1.49, 95%CI 1.08 to 2.05, P = 0.015). There was also a significant reduction in preterm birth < 37 weeks (5.93% vs 6.23%, aOR 0.93, 95%CI 0.87 to 0.99, P=0.03), largely mediated by a reduction in iatrogenic PTB for live births (3.01% vs 3.27%, aOR 0.89, 95%CI 0.81 to 0.98, P = 0.015), including iatrogenic PTB for suspected fetal compromise (1.25% vs 1.51%, aOR 0.79, 95%CI 0.69 to 0.91, P= 0.001). There was no significant difference in the spontaneous PTB rate between the exposed and control groups (2.69% vs 2.82%, aOR 0.94, 95%CI 0.86 to 0.1.03, P=0.25). Conclusions: Lockdown restrictions in a high-income setting with low rates of COVID-19 disease were associated with a significant increase in preterm stillbirths and a significant reduction in iatrogenic PTB for suspected fetal compromise.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Schuurmans ◽  
Karin Nijhof ◽  
Arne Popma ◽  
Ron Scholte ◽  
Roy Otten

Aim: Many adolescents in residential care have experienced traumatic events and suffer from posttraumatic stress. This study examined the effectiveness of Muse, a game-based meditation intervention, as an addition to treatment as usual (TAU) for traumatized adolescents in residential care.Methods: Seventy-seven traumatized adolescents (10 – 18 years old) received either Muse and TAU (n = 37) or treatment as usual alone (n = 40). TAU consisted of evidence-based treatments that did not specifically target posttraumatic symptoms. Outcomes were measured at T1, T2, and two-months follow-up (FU). Primary outcomes were posttraumatic symptoms (self-report and mentor-report) and stress (self-report) at T2. Secondary outcomes included anxiety, depression, and aggression at T2, and all outcomes at follow-up.Results: The Muse group showed significantly greater improvements than the control group at T2 regarding self-reported posttraumatic symptoms, stress, anxiety, depression, and aggression. Mentor reports showed marginally significant decreases in posttraumatic stress at T2. There were no differences between the groups at FU, except for a marginally significant difference in self-reported posttraumatic symptoms, where the Muse participants showed larger decreases.Conclusions: Game-based meditation therapy is a promising intervention that is more effective than treatment as usual alone. Implications of these findings for the role of game-based meditation interventions for traumatized adolescents in residential care are discussed.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meng-Meng An ◽  
Chenxi Liu ◽  
Yi Jiang ◽  
Bei-Bei Jin ◽  
Da Cao ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Iron metabolism disorder is commonly seen in patients with sepsis. This study aimed to evaluate whether continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) improved the iron metabolism disorders in sepsis. Methods: In a single-center, retrospective cohort study, totally 89 sepsis patients were prospectively enrolled and divided into the CVVH group (n=39) and the control group (n=50). Clinical and laboratory data were collected and compared between the groups on days 1, 3 and 7 of ICU admission. Plasma interleukin (IL)-6, hepcidin, erythropoietin (EPO), ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Sequential organ failure scores (SOFA) on days 1 and 7, and 28-day survival between groups were compared. Results: Plasma IL-6, hepcidin, ferritin and RDW on days 3 and 7 were significantly reduced in the CVVH group compared with those in the control group (all P<0.05). The CVVH group had a significantly lower SOFA score on day 7 compared with the control group (P<0.05). Hemoglobin and EPO were gradually decreased within the first week of ICU admission in both groups although no significant differences between the groups were observed. There was no significant difference in sTfR between the two groups along with the time (all P > 0.05). In addition, there were no significant differences in 28-day survival rate and median survival time between the two groups. Conclusions: CVVH improves iron metabolism disorders and the disease severity in sepsis. However, it does not alleviate anemia and fails to improve the survival.


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