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Tsimpida D, Rajasingam S, Panagioti M, Henshaw H. The leaky pipeline of hearing care: primary to secondary care evidence from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). Int J Audiol 2024; 63:349-357. [PMID: 36951175 DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2023.2186814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The proportions of older adults' transitions through acknowledging their hearing loss to getting access to treatment are unknown. This was examined using data from a nationally representative cohort in England. DESIGN Patient and healthcare factors associated with referrals were examined cross-sectionally, through primary to secondary care. Non-report predictors identified using multiple logistic regression models. STUDY SAMPLE 8529 adults with hearing data in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing Wave 7. RESULTS Nearly 40% of those with acknowledged hearing loss did not tell a doctor or nurse (n = 857/2249). Women (OR 2.68, 95% CI 2.14-2.98), retirees (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.17-1.44), those with foreign education (OR 2.74, 95% CI 2.47-3.04), lower education (OR 2.86, 95% CI 2.58-3.18), smokers (OR 4.39, 95% CI 3.95-4.87), and heavy drinkers (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.58-1.85) were more likely to not report hearing loss. Of those who acknowledged and reported hearing difficulties, willingness to try hearing aid(s) was high (78.9%). CONCLUSIONS Unacknowledged, or acknowledged but not reported hearing loss by individuals, and non-referrals by primary healthcare professionals, are barriers to accessing hearing healthcare. Future research should report hearing aid use as the proportion of individuals who acknowledge their hearing loss, to avoid an overestimation of the non-use of hearing aids within study samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dialechti Tsimpida
- Department of Public Health, Policy & Systems, Institute of Population Health, The University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Saima Rajasingam
- School of Psychology & Sport Sciences (Vision & Hearing) Cambridge Campus, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
| | - Maria Panagioti
- NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Translational Research Centre (PSTRC), School of Health Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Helen Henshaw
- NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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Jansen LA, van Wier MF, Vernimmen FPJ, Goderie T, van de Berg R, Lemke U, Lissenberg-Witte BI, Kramer SE. Ten-year association between change in speech-in-noise recognition and falls due to balance problems: a longitudinal cohort study. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:732. [PMID: 38454406 PMCID: PMC10919036 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18187-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study examined the relationship between speech-in-noise recognition and incident/recurrent falls due to balance problems ten years later (RQ-1); 10-year change in speech-in-noise recognition and falls (RQ-2a), as well as the role of dizziness in this relationship (RQ-2b). The association between hearing aid use and falls was also examined (RQ-3). METHODS Data was collected from the Netherlands Longitudinal Study on Hearing between 2006 and December 2022. Participants completed an online survey and digits-in-noise test every five years. For this study, data was divided into two 10-year follow-up time intervals: T0 (baseline) to T2 (10-year follow-up), and T1 (5-years) to T3 (15-years). For all RQs, participants aged ≥ 40 years at baseline, without congenital hearing loss, and non-CI users were eligible (n = 592). Additionally, for RQ-3 participants with a speech reception threshold in noise (SRTn) ≥ -5.5 dB signal-to-noise ratio were included (n = 422). Analyses used survey variables on hearing, dizziness, falls due to balance problems, chronic health conditions, and psychosocial health. Logistic regressions using General Estimating Equations were conducted to assess all RQs. RESULTS Among individuals with obesity, those with poor baseline SRTn had a higher odds of incident falls ten years later (odds ratio (OR):14.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) [2.12, 103]). A 10-year worsening of SRTn was significantly associated with a higher odds of recurrent (OR: 2.20, 95% CI [1.03, 4.71]) but not incident falls. No interaction was found between dizziness and change in SRTn. Hearing aid use (no use/ < 2 years use vs. ≥ 2 years) was not significantly associated with incident nor recurrent falls. Although there was a significant interaction with sex for this association, the effect of hearing aid use on incident/recurrent falls was not statistically significant among males nor females. CONCLUSIONS A longitudinal association between the deterioration in SRTn and recurrent falls due to balance problems after 10 years was confirmed in this study. This result stresses the importance of identifying declines in hearing earlier and justifies including hearing ability assessments within fall risk prevention programs. Mixed results of hearing aid use on fall risk warrant further investigation into the temporality of this association and possible differences between men and women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lotte A Jansen
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Section Ear and Hearing, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Quality of Care, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Marieke F van Wier
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Section Ear and Hearing, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Quality of Care, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Freek P J Vernimmen
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Section Ear and Hearing, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Quality of Care, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Thadé Goderie
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Section Ear and Hearing, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Quality of Care, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Raymond van de Berg
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Vestibular Disorders, Maastricht University Medical Centre, P. Debyelaan 25, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Ulrike Lemke
- Research & Development, Sonova AG, Staefa, Switzerland
| | - Birgit I Lissenberg-Witte
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sophia E Kramer
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Section Ear and Hearing, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Quality of Care, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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3
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Cortina LE, Amini A, Benson J, Huang VW, Naples JG. Hearing Loss and Sociodemographic Barriers to Health Care Access Using the All of Us Research Program. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2024; 170:76-83. [PMID: 37473437 DOI: 10.1002/ohn.431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore how gender and low-income status independently influence general health care access in patients with hearing loss. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING National database. METHODS Patients with a diagnosis of sensorineural hearing loss from the National Institutes of Health All of Us database were included. Data entered from May 2018 to November 2022 was analyzed. Patient demographics such as age, gender, educational level, and insurance status were assessed. Multivariate logistic regressions were performed for statistical evaluation. RESULTS A subset of 8875 patients (48.3% male, mean age 69) were evaluated. After multivariate analysis, female participants were more likely than male participants to report difficulty affording prescribed medications (odds ratio [OR]: 1.7, p < .0005) and specialists (OR: 1.4, p < 0.005). Female patients were also more likely to delay care due to elder care responsibilities (OR: 2.6, p < .0005), employment obligations (OR: 1.7, p < .0005), and feelings of apprehension in seeing a provider (OR: 1.7, p < .0005). Finally, female participants reported feeling less likely to be involved in their own medical care compared to males (OR: 1.2, p < .005). Low-income (<$25,000) participants reported less likely to feel respected (OR: 3.2, p < .0005) and delivered understandable health information (OR: 2.3, p < .0005) by providers compared to participants of higher income. CONCLUSION This work suggests that patients with hearing loss, female gender, and lower socioeconomic status independently introduce barriers to health care access and utilization. These factors should be considered in efforts to promote equity in the care of patients with hearing loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis E Cortina
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Andrew Amini
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jalen Benson
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Victoria W Huang
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - James G Naples
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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4
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Völter C, Götze L, Ballasch I, Harbert L, Dazert S, Thomas JP. Third-party disability in cochlear implant users. Int J Audiol 2023; 62:1059-1066. [PMID: 36411948 DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2022.2125913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To date, auditory rehabilitation mainly focuses on the person with hearing impairment (PHI). This study aimed to analyse the burden of hearing loss on significant others (SOs), and to explore the impact of contextual and mediating psychosocial co-factors and auditory rehabilitation by cochlear implantation (CI). DESIGN AND STUDY SAMPLE Third-party disability (SOS-HEAR) and quality of life (Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire) were evaluated in 41 PHI scheduled for CI surgery and their close partners pre- and 6-month post-implantation. Further, age, hearing status, educational level, depressive symptoms (GDS-15), coping strategies (Brief-COPE), resilience (RS-13), stress (PSQ) of SOs and PHI were studied. RESULTS Hearing loss imposes a burden on SOs, particularly in relation to changes in communication and socialisation. Third-party disability was higher in SOs of PHI with lower educational background (p = 0.04) and of advanced age (p = 0.008). Hearing status of SOs negatively correlated with SOS-HEAR (p = 0.04). After CI, quality of life of PHI and third-party disability of SOs improved (p < 0.001), except in relationship changes. SOs with higher pre-operative burden also experienced more third-party disability afterwards (p ≤ 0.003). CONCLUSION Audiological rehabilitation should expand to include SOs in the rehabilitation process, as the burden experienced by SOs might persist even after CI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane Völter
- The Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Comprehensive Hearing Centre at Katholisches Klinikum, Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany
| | - Lisa Götze
- The Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Comprehensive Hearing Centre at Katholisches Klinikum, Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany
| | - Isabel Ballasch
- The Department for Neuropsychology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Lisa Harbert
- The Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Comprehensive Hearing Centre at Katholisches Klinikum, Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany
| | - Stefan Dazert
- The Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Comprehensive Hearing Centre at Katholisches Klinikum, Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany
| | - Jan Peter Thomas
- The Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, St. Johannes-Hospital Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
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Zuriekat M, Alqudah S, Semeraro H, Watson V, Rowan D, Kirby S, Ferguson M. The audiological rehabilitation of workers with hearing loss in the UK: a qualitative study of workers' perspectives. Disabil Rehabil 2023:1-15. [PMID: 37800442 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2023.2261375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Unaddressed hearing loss can adversely affect employment and day-to-day work-life. Efficient and effective audiology support can help optimise hearing in the workplace. This study explores the audiological rehabilitation experiences of workers with hearing loss (WHL). MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-four WHL with experience of a wide range of audiology services across the UK participated in semi-structured interviews. Interviews were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS Three main themes were generated: Theme 1: mixed experiences with audiology services (subdivided into two subthemes and four sub-subthemes). Theme 2: audiology role in work support (subdivided into three subthemes). Theme 3: "I think support could be improved if…" (subdivided into two subthemes). CONCLUSION The audiological rehabilitation for working-age adults with hearing loss needs improvements to deliver sufficient support and quality care. Some of the barriers to having better-functioning hearing healthcare require fundamental standards in healthcare quality, such as access to services, staff (including audiologists) deaf awareness, information and technology support, and personalised care that considers work-life needs. Further research is required to evaluate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of improvements, such as support that extends beyond hearing aid care, whether from audiology or non-audiology services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret Zuriekat
- Department of Special Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Jordan & Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan
- Institute of Sound and Vibration Research, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Safa Alqudah
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jordan University of Science & Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | | | - Victoria Watson
- Institute of Sound and Vibration Research, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Daniel Rowan
- Institute of Sound and Vibration Research, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Sarah Kirby
- Academic Unit of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Melanie Ferguson
- School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
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van Wier MF, Jansen LA, Goderie T, Stam M, Nachtegaal J, van Beek JHM, Lemke U, Anema JR, Lissenberg-Witte BI, Smits C, Kramer SE. Cohort profile: Netherlands Longitudinal Study on Hearing (NL-SH). BMJ Open 2023; 13:e070180. [PMID: 37068904 PMCID: PMC10111885 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-070180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The Netherlands Longitudinal Study on Hearing (NL-SH) was set up to examine associations of hearing ability with psychosocial, work and health outcomes in working age adults. PARTICIPANTS Inclusion started in 2006 and is ongoing. Currently the sample comprises 2800 adults with normal and impaired hearing, aged 18-70 years at inclusion. Five-year follow-up started in 2011, 10-year follow-up in 2016 and 15-year follow-up in 2021. All measurements are web-based. Participants perform a speech-in-noise recognition test to measure hearing ability and fill out questionnaires about their hearing status, hearing aid use, self-reported hearing disability and coping, work status and work-related outcomes (work performance, need for recovery), physical and psychosocial health (depression, anxiety, distress, somatisation, loneliness), healthcare usage, lifestyle (smoking, alcohol), and technology use. FINDINGS TO DATE The NL-SH has shown the vast implications of reduced hearing ability for the quality of life and health of working-age adults. A selection of results published in 27 papers is presented. Age-related deterioration of hearing ability accelerates after the age of 50 years. Having a history of smoking is associated with a faster decline in hearing ability, but this relationship is not found for other cardiovascular risk factors. Poorer hearing ability is associated with increased distress, somatisation, depression and loneliness. Adults with impaired hearing ability are more likely to be unemployed or unfit for work, and need more time to recuperate from work effort. FUTURE PLANS Participant data will be linked to a national database to enable research on the association between hearing ability and mortality. Linking to environmental exposure data will facilitate insight in relations between environmental factors, hearing ability and psychosocial outcomes. The unique breadth of the NL-SH data will also allow for further research on other functional problems, for instance, hearing ability and fall risk. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NL12015.029.06.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marieke F van Wier
- Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Quality of Care, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lotte A Jansen
- Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Quality of Care, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Thadé Goderie
- Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Quality of Care, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mariska Stam
- Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Quality of Care, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Janneke Nachtegaal
- Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Quality of Care, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Johannes H M van Beek
- Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ulrike Lemke
- Research & Development, Sonova AG, Stäfa, Switzerland
| | - Johannes R Anema
- Public and Occupational health, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Birgit I Lissenberg-Witte
- Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cas Smits
- Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Quality of Care, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sophia E Kramer
- Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Quality of Care, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Knoetze M, Manchaiah V, Mothemela B, Swanepoel DW. Factors Influencing Hearing Help-Seeking and Hearing Aid Uptake in Adults: A Systematic Review of the Past Decade. Trends Hear 2023; 27:23312165231157255. [PMID: 36798964 PMCID: PMC9940236 DOI: 10.1177/23312165231157255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
This systematic review examined the audiological and nonaudiological factors that influence hearing help-seeking and hearing aid uptake in adults with hearing loss based on the literature published during the last decade. Peer-reviewed articles published between January 2011 and February 2022 were identified through systematic searches in electronic databases CINAHL, PsycINFO, and MEDLINE. The review was conducted and reported according to the PRISMA protocol. Forty-two articles met the inclusion criteria. Seventy (42 audiological and 28 nonaudiological) hearing help-seeking factors and 159 (93 audiological and 66 nonaudiological) hearing aid uptake factors were investigated with many factors reported only once (10/70 and 62/159, respectively). Hearing aid uptake had some strong predictors (e.g., hearing sensitivity) with others showing conflicting results (e.g., self-reported health). Hearing help-seeking had clear nonpredictive factors (e.g., education) and conflicting factors (e.g., self-reported health). New factors included cognitive anxiety associated with increased help-seeking and hearing aid uptake and urban residency and access to financial support with hearing aid uptake. Most studies were rated as having a low level of evidence (67%) and fair quality (86%). Effective promotion of hearing help-seeking requires more research evidence. Investigating factors with conflicting results and limited evidence is important to clarify what factors support help-seeking and hearing aid uptake in adults with hearing loss. These findings can inform future research and hearing health promotion and rehabilitation practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Knoetze
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa,Virtual Hearing Lab, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Vinaya Manchaiah
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa,Virtual Hearing Lab, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA,Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA,UCHealth Hearing and Balance, University of Colorado Hospital, Aurora, CO, USA,Department of Speech and Hearing, School of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Bopane Mothemela
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa,Virtual Hearing Lab, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - De Wet Swanepoel
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa,Virtual Hearing Lab, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA,Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA,Ear Science Institute Australia, Subiaco, Australia,De Wet Swanepoel, Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, Lynnwood Road & Roper Street, Pretoria, South Africa.
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Madahana MC, Khoza-Shangase K, Moroe N, Mayombo D, Nyandoro O, Ekoru J. A proposed artificial intelligence-based real-time speech-to-text to sign language translator for South African official languages for the COVID-19 era and beyond: In pursuit of solutions for the hearing impaired. SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION DISORDERS 2022; 69:e1-e11. [PMID: 36073078 PMCID: PMC9452925 DOI: 10.4102/sajcd.v69i2.915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in communication being heightened as one of the critical aspects in the implementation of interventions. Delays in the relaying of vital information by policymakers have the potential to be detrimental, especially for the hearing impaired. Objectives This study aims to conduct a scoping review on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) for real-time speech-to-text to sign language translation and consequently propose an AI-based real-time translation solution for South African languages from speech-to-text to sign language. Methods Electronic bibliographic databases including ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus, MEDLINE and ProQuest were searched to identify peer-reviewed publications published in English between 2019 and 2021 that provided evidence on AI-based real-time speech-to-text to sign language translation as a solution for the hearing impaired. This review was done as a precursor to the proposed real-time South African translator. Results The review revealed a dearth of evidence on the adoption and/or maximisation of AI and machine learning (ML) as possible solutions for the hearing impaired. There is a clear lag in clinical utilisation and investigation of these technological advances, particularly in the African continent. Conclusion Assistive technology that caters specifically for the South African community is essential to ensuring a two-way communication between individuals who can hear clearly and individuals with hearing impairments, thus the proposed solution presented in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milka C Madahana
- School of Electrical and Information Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
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9
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Tran Y, Tang D, McMahon C, Mitchell P, Gopinath B. Using a decision tree approach to determine hearing aid ownership in older adults. Disabil Rehabil 2022:1-7. [PMID: 35723014 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2022.2087761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The main clinical intervention for older adults with hearing loss is the provision of hearing aids. However, uptake and usage in this population have historically been reported as low. The aim of this study was to understand the hearing loss characteristics, from measured audiometric hearing loss and self-perceived hearing handicap, that contribute to the decision of hearing aid ownership. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 2833 adults aged 50+ years, of which 329 reported hearing aid ownership, were involved with a population-based survey with audiometric hearing assessments. Classification and regression tree (CART) analysis was used to classify hearing aid ownership from audiometric measurements and hearing disability outcomes. RESULTS An overall accuracy of 92.5% was found for the performance of the CART analysis in predicting hearing aid ownership from hearing loss characteristics. By including hearing disability, sensitivity for predicting hearing aid ownership increased by up to 40% compared with just audiometric hearing loss measurements alone. CONCLUSIONS A decision tree approach that considers both objectively measured hearing loss and self-perceived hearing disability, could facilitate a more tailored and personalised approach for determining hearing aid needs in the older population. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONWithout intervention, older adults with hearing loss are at higher risk of cognitive decline and higher rates of depression, anxiety, social isolation.The provision of hearing aids can compensate hearing function, however, uptake and usage have been reported as low.Using a more precise cut-off from audiometric measures and self-perceived hearing disability scores could facilitate a tailored and personalised approach to screen and identify older adults for hearing aid needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne Tran
- Macquarie University Hearing, Department of Linguistics, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Diana Tang
- Macquarie University Hearing, Department of Linguistics, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Catherine McMahon
- Macquarie University Hearing, Department of Linguistics, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Paul Mitchell
- Centre for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology and Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Bamini Gopinath
- Macquarie University Hearing, Department of Linguistics, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
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