scholarly journals Effectiveness of a Web-Based SUpport PRogram (SUPR) for Hearing Aid Users Aged 50+: Two-Arm, Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janine FJ Meijerink ◽  
Marieke Pronk ◽  
Birgit I Lissenberg-Witte ◽  
Vera Jansen ◽  
Sophia E Kramer
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Strategy Use ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Support Program ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Web Based

BACKGROUND Hearing aid (HA) use is known to improve health outcomes for people with hearing loss. Despite that, HA use is suboptimal, and communication issues and hearing-related activity limitations and participation restrictions often remain. Web-based self-management communication programs may support people with hearing loss to effectively self-manage the impact of hearing loss in their daily lives. OBJECTIVE The goal of the research is to examine the short- and long-term effects of a web-based self-management SUpport PRogram (SUPR) on communication strategy use (primary outcome) and a range of secondary outcomes for HA users aged 50 years and older. METHODS Clients of 36 HA dispensing practices were randomized to SUPR (SUPR recipients; n=180 HA users) and 34 to care as usual (controls; n=163 HA users). SUPR recipients received a practical support booklet and online materials delivered via email over the course of their 6-month HA rehabilitation trajectory. They were encouraged to appoint a communication partner and were offered optional email contact with the HA dispensing practice. The online materials included 3 instruction videos on HA handling, 5 videos on communication strategies, and 3 testimonial videos. Care as usual included a HA fitting rehabilitation trajectory only. Measurements were carried out at baseline, immediately postintervention, 6 months postintervention, and 12 months postintervention. The primary outcome measure was self-reported use of communication strategies (3 subscales of the Communication Profile for the Hearing Impaired [CPHI]). Secondary outcome measures included self-reported personal adjustment to hearing loss (CPHI); use, satisfaction and benefit of HAs and SUPR (use questionnaire; International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids [IOI-HA], Alternative Interventions [IOI-AI]); recommendation of HA dispensing services; self-efficacy for HA handling (Measure of Audiologic Rehabilitation Self-Efficacy for Hearing Aids [MARS-HA]); readiness to act on hearing loss (University of Rhode Island Change Assessment adapted for hearing loss [URICA-HL]); and hearing disability (Amsterdam Inventory for Auditory Disability and Handicap [AIADH]). RESULTS Linear mixed model analyses (intention to treat) showed no significant differences between the SUPR and control group in the course of communication strategy use (CPHI). Immediately postintervention, SUPR recipients showed significantly higher self-efficacy for advanced HA handling than the controls, which was sustained at 12 months (MARS-HA; mean difference immediately postintervention: 5.3, 95% CI 0.3 to 10.4; <i>P</i>=.04). Also, SUPR recipients showed significantly greater HA satisfaction than controls immediately postintervention (IOI-HA; 0.3, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.5; <i>P</i>=.006), which was sustained at 12 months, and significantly greater HA use than the controls immediately postintervention (IOI-HA; 0.3, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.5; <i>P</i>=.03), which was not sustained at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS This study provides ground to recommend adding SUPR to standard HA dispensing care, as long-term, modest improvements in HA outcomes were observed. Further research is needed to evaluate what adjustments to SUPR are needed to establish long-term effectiveness on outcomes in the psychosocial domain. CLINICALTRIAL ISRCTN77340339; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN77340339 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2016-015012

scholarly journals Effectiveness of a Web-Based SUpport PRogram (SUPR) for Hearing Aid Users Aged 50+: Two-Arm, Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

10.2196/17927 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. e17927
Author(s):  
Janine FJ Meijerink ◽  
Marieke Pronk ◽  
Birgit I Lissenberg-Witte ◽  
Vera Jansen ◽  
Sophia E Kramer
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Strategy Use ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Support Program ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Web Based

Background Hearing aid (HA) use is known to improve health outcomes for people with hearing loss. Despite that, HA use is suboptimal, and communication issues and hearing-related activity limitations and participation restrictions often remain. Web-based self-management communication programs may support people with hearing loss to effectively self-manage the impact of hearing loss in their daily lives. Objective The goal of the research is to examine the short- and long-term effects of a web-based self-management SUpport PRogram (SUPR) on communication strategy use (primary outcome) and a range of secondary outcomes for HA users aged 50 years and older. Methods Clients of 36 HA dispensing practices were randomized to SUPR (SUPR recipients; n=180 HA users) and 34 to care as usual (controls; n=163 HA users). SUPR recipients received a practical support booklet and online materials delivered via email over the course of their 6-month HA rehabilitation trajectory. They were encouraged to appoint a communication partner and were offered optional email contact with the HA dispensing practice. The online materials included 3 instruction videos on HA handling, 5 videos on communication strategies, and 3 testimonial videos. Care as usual included a HA fitting rehabilitation trajectory only. Measurements were carried out at baseline, immediately postintervention, 6 months postintervention, and 12 months postintervention. The primary outcome measure was self-reported use of communication strategies (3 subscales of the Communication Profile for the Hearing Impaired [CPHI]). Secondary outcome measures included self-reported personal adjustment to hearing loss (CPHI); use, satisfaction and benefit of HAs and SUPR (use questionnaire; International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids [IOI-HA], Alternative Interventions [IOI-AI]); recommendation of HA dispensing services; self-efficacy for HA handling (Measure of Audiologic Rehabilitation Self-Efficacy for Hearing Aids [MARS-HA]); readiness to act on hearing loss (University of Rhode Island Change Assessment adapted for hearing loss [URICA-HL]); and hearing disability (Amsterdam Inventory for Auditory Disability and Handicap [AIADH]). Results Linear mixed model analyses (intention to treat) showed no significant differences between the SUPR and control group in the course of communication strategy use (CPHI). Immediately postintervention, SUPR recipients showed significantly higher self-efficacy for advanced HA handling than the controls, which was sustained at 12 months (MARS-HA; mean difference immediately postintervention: 5.3, 95% CI 0.3 to 10.4; P=.04). Also, SUPR recipients showed significantly greater HA satisfaction than controls immediately postintervention (IOI-HA; 0.3, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.5; P=.006), which was sustained at 12 months, and significantly greater HA use than the controls immediately postintervention (IOI-HA; 0.3, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.5; P=.03), which was not sustained at 12 months. Conclusions This study provides ground to recommend adding SUPR to standard HA dispensing care, as long-term, modest improvements in HA outcomes were observed. Further research is needed to evaluate what adjustments to SUPR are needed to establish long-term effectiveness on outcomes in the psychosocial domain. Trial Registration ISRCTN77340339; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN77340339 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2016-015012

The Relationship Between Hearing Loss Self-Management and Hearing Aid Benefit and Satisfaction

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 274-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Convery ◽  
Gitte Keidser ◽  
Louise Hickson ◽  
Carly Meyer
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Hearing Aid Benefit ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose Hearing loss self-management refers to the knowledge and skills people use to manage the effects of hearing loss on all aspects of their daily lives. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between self-reported hearing loss self-management and hearing aid benefit and satisfaction. Method Thirty-seven adults with hearing loss, all of whom were current users of bilateral hearing aids, participated in this observational study. The participants completed self-report inventories probing their hearing loss self-management and hearing aid benefit and satisfaction. Correlation analysis was used to investigate the relationship between individual domains of hearing loss self-management and hearing aid benefit and satisfaction. Results Participants who reported better self-management of the effects of their hearing loss on their emotional well-being and social participation were more likely to report less aided listening difficulty in noisy and reverberant environments and greater satisfaction with the effect of their hearing aids on their self-image. Participants who reported better self-management in the areas of adhering to treatment, participating in shared decision making, accessing services and resources, attending appointments, and monitoring for changes in their hearing and functional status were more likely to report greater satisfaction with the sound quality and performance of their hearing aids. Conclusion Study findings highlight the potential for using information about a patient's hearing loss self-management in different domains as part of clinical decision making and management planning.

scholarly journals Acceptability of a Brief Web-Based Theory-Based Intervention to Prevent and Reduce Self-harm: Mixed Methods Evaluation (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Keyworth ◽  
Rory O'Connor ◽  
Leah Quinlivan ◽  
Christopher J Armitage
Keyword(s):  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Opportunity Costs ◽  
Perceived Effectiveness ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Affective Attitude ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
White Ethnic

BACKGROUND The volitional help sheet (VHS) for self-harm equips people with a means of responding automatically to triggers for self-harm with coping strategies. Although there is some evidence of its efficacy, improving acceptability and making the intervention available in a web-based format may be crucial to increasing effectiveness and reach. OBJECTIVE This study aims to use the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability (TFA) to explore the acceptability of the VHS, examine for whom and under what circumstances this intervention is more or less acceptable, and develop a series of recommendations for how the VHS can be used to support people in reducing repeat self-harm. METHODS We explored acceptability in two phases. First, our patient and public involvement partners evaluated the original VHS from a lived experience perspective, which was subsequently translated into a web-based format. Second, a representative sample of adults in the United Kingdom who had previously self-harmed were recruited via a YouGov survey (N=514) and were asked to rate the acceptability of the VHS based on the seven constructs of the TFA, namely, <i>affective attitude, burden, perceived effectiveness, ethicality, intervention coherence, opportunity costs,</i> and <i>self-efficacy</i>. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-tailed <i>t</i> tests, and binary logistic regression. A directed content analysis approach was used to analyze qualitative data. RESULTS Participants in the web-based survey rated the VHS as positive (<i>affective attitude</i>; <i>t</i><sub>457</sub>=4.72; <i>P</i>&lt;.001); were confident using it (self-efficacy; <i>t</i><sub>457</sub>=9.54; <i>P</i>&lt;.001); felt they did not have to give up any benefits, profits, or values when using it (<i>opportunity costs</i>; <i>t</i><sub>439</sub>=−15.51; <i>P</i>&lt;.001); understood it and how it worked (<i>intervention coherence</i>; <i>t</i><sub>464</sub>=11.90; <i>P</i>&lt;.001); and were confident that it would achieve its purpose (<i>perceived effectiveness</i>; <i>t</i><sub>466</sub>=2.04; <i>P</i>=.04). The TFA domain <i>burden</i> appeared to be an important indicator of acceptability. Lower levels of perceived burden when using the VHS tool were more prevalent among younger adults aged 18-24 years (OR 3.63, 95% CI 1.50-8.78), people of White ethnic background (OR 3.02, 95% CI 1.06-8.613), and people without a long-term health condition (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.01-2.30). Perceived modifications to further improve acceptability included improved formatting (<i>burden</i>), the feature to add new situations and responses or amend existing ones (<i>ethicality</i>), and clearer instructions and further detail about the purpose of the VHS (<i>intervention coherence</i>). CONCLUSIONS Our findings show high levels of acceptability among some people who have previously self-harmed, particularly among younger adults, people of White ethnic backgrounds, and people without long-term health conditions. Future research should aim to improve acceptability among older adults, people from minority ethnic groups, and people with long-term health conditions.

scholarly journals Effects of Including Information about Hidden Hearing Loss in an Adopt-A-Band Program on College Band Members' Attitudes toward Healthy Hearing Behaviors

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (02) ◽  
pp. 210-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carole Johnson ◽  
Jonathan Baldwin ◽  
Jeffrey Danhauer ◽  
Brian Wolfe ◽  
Stevana Jeannont ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Marching Bands ◽  
Hidden Hearing Loss ◽  
College Band

AbstractYoung musicians may be at risk for developing cochlear synaptopathy (CS), or hidden hearing loss (HHL), that could lead to permanent music-induced hearing loss (MIHL). Patients with CS often complain of tinnitus and/or difficulty understanding speech in noisy situations, even though traditional audiometric testing indicates normal hearing. The aim of this article was to determine the effects of including information about HHL on an Adopt-A-Band program involving college band members' concern about and self-efficacy toward the prevention of MIHL. We conducted a single-blinded, randomized clinical trial. Forty-eight band members participated in this study. Band members were randomly assigned to two Adopt-A-Band presentations, one with and one without information on HHL. Including information about HHL had no effect on these band members' concerns about and self-efficacy toward the prevention of MIHL. However, the Adopt-A-Band program resulted in significantly increased concern for MIHL by 39.5% (p < 0.0001, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 25–54.2), self-efficacy in its prevention by 79.1% (p < 0.0001, 95% CI: 66.9–91.2), and plans to use musicians' earplugs while playing by 67.4% (p < 0.0001, 95% CI: 53.4–81.45). Although inclusion of information about HHL did not have a significant effect, the Adopt-A-Band program, in general, significantly increased the immediate intent of these students to practice healthy hearing behaviors. Future research is needed to determine the long-term effects of using the Adopt-A-Band program with university marching bands' use of healthy hearing behaviors.

scholarly journals Development and Formative Assessment of the Hearing Loss Toolkit for Self-Management

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (01) ◽  
pp. 049-067 ◽  
Author(s):  
Preyanca Oree ◽  
Victoria Sanchez ◽  
Nicholas Reed ◽  
Theresa Chisolm ◽  
Michelle Arnold
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Formative Assessment ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Healthcare Research ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Management Skills ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Age Related Hearing Loss

AbstractHearing aids are a demonstrated efficacious intervention for age-related hearing loss, and research suggests that good hearing loss self-management skills improve amplification satisfaction and outcomes. One way to foster self-management skills is through the provision of patient education materials. However, many of the available resources related to the management of hearing loss do not account for health literacy and are not suitable for use with adults from varying health literacy backgrounds. To address this issue, we developed the Hearing Loss Toolkit for Self-Management as part of a manualized, best practices hearing intervention used in large clinical trial. We incorporated health literacy recommendations from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality in a series of modules that address a variety of common problem areas reported by adults with hearing loss. A formative assessment consisting of feedback questionnaires, semistructured interviews, and a focus group session with representatives from the target audience was conducted. Findings from the development assessment process demonstrate that the Hearing Loss Toolkit for Self-Management is suitable for use with adults with age-related hearing loss who have varying health literacy backgrounds and abilities.

Supporting self-management amongst young people with acne vulgaris: feasibility randomised trial of a web-based behavioural intervention (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athena Ip ◽  
Ingrid Muller ◽  
Adam Geraghty ◽  
Kate Rumsby ◽  
Beth Stuart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Usual Care ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Outcome Measure ◽  
Randomised Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Primary Outcome Measure ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Topical Treatments

BACKGROUND Acne is a common skin condition that is most prevalent in young people. It can have substantial impact on quality of life, which can be minimised with appropriate use of topical treatments. Nonadherence to topical treatments for acne is common often leading to treatment failure. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to develop a web-based behavioural intervention to support self-management of acne and to assess the feasibility of recruitment, retention and engagement in a parallel unblinded randomised trial of the intervention compared with usual care alone. METHODS The intervention was developed iteratively using LifeGuide software and following the Person-Based Approach (PBA) to intervention development. The target behaviour was ‘Appropriate use of topical treatments’ and barriers and facilitators identified from the qualitative research and evidence from the wider literature were used to identify techniques to improve and promote their use. Young people with acne aged 14-25 years who had received treatment for acne within the last 6 months were invited to participate through mail-out from primary care practices in the South of England. Participants were randomised to: (1) usual care, or (2) usual care plus access to web-based intervention. Usage data was collected and a series of questionnaires including the primary outcome measure for skin specific quality of life (Skindex-16) were collected at baseline, 4-weeks and 6-weeks follow-up. RESULTS A total of 1193 participants were invited and 53 young people with acne were randomised to usual care (n=27) or usual care plus intervention (n=26). The response rate for the primary outcome measure (Skindex-16) was 87% at 4-weeks, 6-weeks or both time points. The estimate of mean scores between groups (with 95% confidence) using linear regression showed a trend in the direction of benefit for the web-based intervention group in the primary outcome measure (Skindex-16), and secondary measures (Patient Health Questionnaire 4 and the Problematic Experiences of Therapy Scale). Intervention usage data showed a high uptake of the core module in the usual care plus web-based intervention group with 23 of 26 (88%) completing the module. Uptake of the optional modules were low with less than half visiting each (Myth-busting quiz: 27%; Living with spots or acne: 42%; Oral antibiotics: 19%; What are spots or acne: 27%; Other treatments: 27%; Talking to your GP: 12%). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated the feasibility of delivering a trial of a web-based intervention to support self-management for young people with acne. Additional work is needed prior to a full definitive trial including enhancing engagement with the intervention, recruitment and follow-up rates. CLINICALTRIAL International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN): 78626638; https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN78626638.

Short- and Long-Term Effects of the Modified Swedish Version of the Active Communication Education (ACE) Program for Adults with Hearing Loss

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (09) ◽  
pp. 848-858 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Öberg ◽  
Therese Bohn ◽  
Ulrika Larsson
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Program Completion ◽  
Strategy Use ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Health Clinic ◽  
Communication Education ◽  
Swedish Version ◽  
Active Communication

Background: In Sweden, there is a lack of evidence-based rehabilitation programs for hearing loss. The Active Communication Education program (ACE) has successfully been used in Australia and was translated and evaluated in a Swedish pilot study. The pilot study included 23 participants (age 87 yr). No statistically significant effects were found, but the qualitative assessments indicated that this population found the program to be beneficial. The participants requested more focus on the psychosocial consequences of hearing loss, and the modules in the original ACE program were modified. Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the effects of a modified Swedish version of the ACE program in a population aged 39–82 yr old. Research Design: Design was a between-group and within-group intervention study. Study Sample: The participants were recruited from the hearing health clinic in Linköping during 2010 and 2012. A total of 73 participants agreed to undergo the ACE, and 67 (92%) completed three or more sessions. Intervention: The ACE program consists of five weekly 2 hr group sessions with 6 to 10 participants per group. Data Collection and Analysis: The outcomes were measured before initiation of the program, 3 wk after program completion, and 6 mo after program completion and included communication strategy use, activity and participation, health-related quality of life, and anxiety and depression. In addition, outcomes were measured after program completion using the International Outcome Inventory–Alternative Interventions, a modified version of the Client Oriented Scale of Improvement, and qualitative feedback was obtained about the response to the program and actions taken as a result of participation. The treatment effects were examined using repeated-measures analyses of variance. Results: Statistically significant effects were found for communication strategy use, activity and participation, and psychosocial well-being. Statistically significant effects were found for gender and degree of hearing loss, indicating that women and those with mild hearing loss significantly improved communication strategies. Conclusions: It is suggested that the program be implemented as part of regular audiological rehabilitation and offered in an early stage of rehabilitation.

scholarly journals Study of the long-term effects of frequency compression by behavioral verbal tests in adults

CoDAS ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Clarizia Marchesin ◽  
Maria Cecília Martinelli Iório
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Daily Activities ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Frequency Compression ◽  
High Frequencies ◽  
Hearing Aid Benefit ◽  
Consonant Sounds

PURPOSE: To verify the effect of long-term use of hearing aids with frequency compression for verbal behavior tests and daily activities. METHODS: Thirty-two adults, aged between 30 and 60 years old, with moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss at high frequencies with steeply sloping configuration were divided into two groups: 16 with hearing aids with frequency compression algorithm enabled and 16 not enabled. All participants underwent the detection tests of consonant sounds, monosyllable recognition in quiet environments, identification of fricative monosyllables, and Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) questionnaire in five times throughout a 12-month trial. RESULTS: Detection of consonant sounds, recognition of monosyllables in quiet environments and identification of fricative monosyllables improved significantly with frequency compression enabled. Participants had their APHAB scores improved whether they were adapted to the frequency compression or not. CONCLUSION: Frequency compression provides the anticipated improvement in audibility, detection of high-frequency consonant sounds, and recognition of monosyllables.

scholarly journals Use of Physical Activity Self-Management Strategies by High School Students

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 168-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stewart G. Trost ◽  
Jan Hutley
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Management Strategy ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Strategy Use ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Use Of Self ◽  
School Students ◽  
Fourfold Increase

Teaching adolescents to use self-management strategies may be an effective approach to promoting lifelong physical activity (PA). However, the extent to which adolescents use self-management strategies and their impact on current PA have not been studied previously. The aims of this study were 1) to describe the prevalence of self-management strategy use in adolescents; and 2) to determine relationships between self-management strategy use, PA self-efficacy, and PA participation. 197 students completed questionnaires measuring use of self-management strategies, self-efficacy, and PA behavior. The most prevalent self-management strategies (>30%) were thinking about the benefits of PA, making PA more enjoyable, choosing activities that are convenient, setting aside time to do PA, and setting goals to do PA. Fewer than 10% reported rewarding oneself for PA, writing planned activities in a book or calendar, and keeping charts of PA. Use of self-management strategies was associated with increased self-efficacy (r = .47, p < .001) and higher levels of PA (r = .34 p < .001). A 1-unit difference in self-management strategy scores was associated with a ~fourfold increase in the probability of being active (OR = 3.7, 95% CI = 1.8-7.4). Although strongly associated with PA, a relatively small percentage of adolescents routinely use self-management strategies.

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