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Hulme C, Young A, Rogers K, Munro KJ. Cultural competence in NHS hearing aid clinics: a mixed-methods case study of services for Deaf British sign language users in the UK. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:1440. [PMID: 38114981 PMCID: PMC10731837 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-10339-4] [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: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study identified and explored how National Health Service (NHS) hearing aid clinics address cultural competence concerning Deaf British Sign Language (BSL) users. This was approached by (i) investigating how organisational processes meet the needs of Deaf signers from a hospital and hearing aid clinic perspective, (ii) analysing policies and guidelines to investigate if they equip practitioners to meet the needs of Deaf signers and (iii) exploring with practitioners who work in hearing aid clinics about their experiences of working with Deaf signers. METHODS This study utilised a mixed-methods multiple case study design, incorporating documentary analysis and semi-structured interviews. Interview analysis was conducted using Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA). The research encompassed two hearing aid clinics in separate hospitals, producing 19 documents and eight interviews (four at each site) with audiologists ensuring a representative mix of professional experience levels. RESULTS Four themes emerged from the integrated analysis: (1) Understanding Deaf signers; (2) Communicating with Deaf signers; (3) Barriers and Facilitators and (4) Service improvement. A noticeable gap in understanding BSL as both a language and a cultural system was apparent across various policies, strategies, training programmes and staff expertise. Over-reliance on interpreters provided a false sense of accessibility and most participants felt tentative to engage directly with Deaf signers. Positive practices observed at Sites A and B encompassed accurate identification of patients as Deaf signers, improved interpreter availability, communication methods, enhanced training and the encouragement of professional self-awareness. CONCLUSION This is the first study that explores cultural competence of hearing aid clinics and its staff concerning Deaf signers in the UK. The results show both clinics require development to become an effective provider for culturally Deaf signers. Examples of how to design culturally competent practices have been provided to assist hearing aid clinics. The findings may be applicable to other underrepresented groups who are not typical users of conventional, acoustic hearing aids provided by the NHS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celia Hulme
- Social Research with Deaf People (SORD), School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
| | - Alys Young
- Social Research with Deaf People (SORD), School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Centre for Deaf Studies, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesberg, South Africa
| | - Katherine Rogers
- Social Research with Deaf People (SORD), School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Kevin J Munro
- Manchester Centre for Audiology and Deafness (ManCAD), School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
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Yuan L, Li D, Tian Y, Sun Y. The association between residential greenness and hearing impairment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:51113-51124. [PMID: 36807037 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-25952-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
Growing evidence shows that residential greenness is beneficial for various health outcomes, but the link between residential greenness and hearing impairment has not been explored. We aimed to explore the link between residential greenness and hearing impairment using baseline data from the UK Biobank. We used data from 107,516 participants between the ages of 40 and 69 years in the UK Biobank from 2006 to 2010. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was used to measure the residential greenness. We defined hearing impairment using the digital triplet test. Logistic regression models were conducted to examine the association of residential greenness with hearing impairment. Each interquartile increment in NDVI was associated with 19% lower odds of hearing impairment (odds ratio, OR 0.81; 95% confidence interval, 95% CI 0.79-0.83). Compared with participants in the first NDVI quartile, those in the second, third, and fourth NDVI quartiles had lower odds of hearing impairment (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.65-0.73 for the second; OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.72-0.81 for the third; OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.65-0.72 for the fourth). Age and Townsend deprivation index showed moderating effects on this association. Our findings showed a negative association between residential greenness and hearing impairment, which might provide potential value for developing cost-effective greenness design and configuration interventions to reduce the risk of hearing impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanlai Yuan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Dankang Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yaohua Tian
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yu Sun
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
- Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Development and Regeneration, Wuhan, China.
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Taylor H, Dawes P, Kapadia D, Shryane N, Norman P. Investigating ethnic inequalities in hearing aid use in England and Wales: a cross-sectional study. Int J Audiol 2023; 62:1-11. [PMID: 34908513 DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2021.2009131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To establish whether ethnic inequalities exist in levels of self-reported hearing difficulty and hearing aid use among middle-aged adults. DESIGN Cross-sectional data from the UK Biobank resource. STUDY SAMPLE 164,460 participants aged 40-69 who answered hearing questions at an assessment centre in England or Wales. RESULTS After taking into account objectively assessed hearing performance and a corresponding correction for bias in non-native English speakers, as well as a range of correlates including demographic, socioeconomic, and health factors, there were lower levels of hearing aid use for people from Black African (OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.17-0.77), Black Caribbean (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.22-0.65) and Indian (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.41-0.86) ethnic groups, compared to the White British or Irish group. Men from most ethnic minority groups and women from Black African, Black Caribbean and Indian groups were less likely to report hearing difficulty than their White British or Irish counterparts. CONCLUSIONS For equivalent levels of hearing loss, the use of hearing aids is lower among ethnic minority groups. Inequalities are partly due to lower levels of self-reported hearing difficulty among minority groups. However, even when self-reported hearing difficulty is considered, hearing aid use remains lower among many ethnic minority groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry Taylor
- Social Statistics, The University of Manchester School of Social Sciences, Manchester, UK.,School of Social Sciences, The University of Manchester Cathie Marsh Institute for Social Research, Manchester, UK
| | - Piers Dawes
- Manchester Centre for Audiology and Deafness, The University of Manchester School of Health Sciences, Manchester, UK.,Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, Greater Manchester, UK.,School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Dharmi Kapadia
- School of Social Sciences, The University of Manchester Cathie Marsh Institute for Social Research, Manchester, UK.,Sociology, The University of Manchester School of Social Sciences, Manchester, UK
| | - Nick Shryane
- Social Statistics, The University of Manchester School of Social Sciences, Manchester, UK.,School of Social Sciences, The University of Manchester Cathie Marsh Institute for Social Research, Manchester, UK
| | - Paul Norman
- School of Geography, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
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Lenatti M, Moreno-Sánchez PA, Polo EM, Mollura M, Barbieri R, Paglialonga A. Evaluation of Machine Learning Algorithms and Explainability Techniques to Detect Hearing Loss From a Speech-in-Noise Screening Test. Am J Audiol 2022; 31:961-979. [PMID: 35877954 DOI: 10.1044/2022_aja-21-00194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to analyze the performance of multivariate machine learning (ML) models applied to a speech-in-noise hearing screening test and investigate the contribution of the measured features toward hearing loss detection using explainability techniques. METHOD Seven different ML techniques, including transparent (i.e., decision tree and logistic regression) and opaque (e.g., random forest) models, were trained and evaluated on a data set including 215 tested ears (99 with hearing loss of mild degree or higher and 116 with no hearing loss). Post hoc explainability techniques were applied to highlight the role of each feature in predicting hearing loss. RESULTS Random forest (accuracy = .85, sensitivity = .86, specificity = .85, precision = .84) performed, on average, better than decision tree (accuracy = .82, sensitivity = .84, specificity = .80, precision = .79). Support vector machine, logistic regression, and gradient boosting had similar performance as random forest. According to post hoc explainability analysis on models generated using random forest, the features with the highest relevance in predicting hearing loss were age, number and percentage of correct responses, and average reaction time, whereas the total test time had the lowest relevance. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that a multivariate approach can help detect hearing loss with satisfactory performance. Further research on a bigger sample and using more complex ML algorithms and explainability techniques is needed to fully investigate the role of input features (including additional features such as risk factors and individual responses to low-/high-frequency stimuli) in predicting hearing loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Lenatti
- Institute of Electronics, Information Engineering and Telecommunications, National Research Council of Italy, Milan
| | - Pedro A Moreno-Sánchez
- School of Health Care and Social Work, Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, Finland.,Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Seinäjoki, Finland
| | - Edoardo M Polo
- Department of Computer, Control, and Management Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Maximiliano Mollura
- Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Riccardo Barbieri
- Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessia Paglialonga
- Institute of Electronics, Information Engineering and Telecommunications, National Research Council of Italy, Milan
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van der Mescht L, le Roux T, Mahomed-Asmail F, De Sousa KC, Swanepoel DW. Remote Monitoring of Adult Cochlear Implant Recipients Using Digits-in-Noise Self-Testing. Am J Audiol 2022; 31:923-935. [PMID: 35738000 DOI: 10.1044/2022_aja-21-00248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the uptake and scope of telehealth. This study determined the accuracy and reliability of a smartphone digits-in-noise (DIN) test when conducted by adult cochlear implant (CI) recipients in a simulated home environment compared with a clinic setup. Perceptions of remote monitoring using speech-in-noise (SIN) testing were also explored. METHOD Thirty-three adult CI recipients between 18 and 78 years of age (M = 46.7, SD = ±20.4) conducted the DIN test in a simulated home environment and a clinic setup. Test-retest reliability across the two environments and comparisons between test settings were evaluated. A survey explored the perceptions of adult CI recipients regarding remote monitoring and use of the DIN self-test. RESULTS Mean-aided speech reception thresholds (SRTs) in the clinic and simulated home environment test conditions and clinic and simulated home environment retest conditions did not differ significantly. Mean test-retest SRTs in the clinic and simulated home environment were significantly different (p < .05). High intraclass correlation coefficient and low standard error of measurement scores reflected good and excellent reliability between test-retest measures and between clinic and simulated home environment measures. Most participants were positive about the possibility of using the DIN test at home to self-assess speech perception, although some test adjustments such as including training items and a less adverse starting signal-to-noise ratio may be required. CONCLUSION Adult CI recipients can use the smartphone DIN test to self-assess aided SIN performance in a home environment with accuracy and reliability relatively similar to clinic testing. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.20044418.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lize van der Mescht
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Talita le Roux
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Faheema Mahomed-Asmail
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, South Africa.,Virtual Hearing Lab, Collaborative initiative between University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, and University of Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Karina C De Sousa
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, South Africa.,Virtual Hearing Lab, Collaborative initiative between University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, and University of Pretoria, South Africa
| | - De Wet Swanepoel
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, South Africa.,Virtual Hearing Lab, Collaborative initiative between University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, and University of Pretoria, South Africa.,Ear Science Institute Australia, Subiaco, Western Australia
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Hisagi M, Baker M, Alvarado E, Shafiro V. Online Assessment of Speech Perception and Auditory Spectrotemporal Processing in Spanish-English Bilinguals. Am J Audiol 2022; 31:936-949. [PMID: 35537127 DOI: 10.1044/2022_aja-21-00225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE There is limited access to audiology services for the growing population of Spanish-English bilinguals in the United States. Online auditory testing can potentially provide a cost-effective alternative to in-person visits. However, even for bilinguals with high English proficiency, age of English acquisition may affect speech perception accuracy. This study used a comprehensive test battery to assess speech perception and spectrotemporal processing abilities in Spanish-English bilinguals and to evaluate susceptibility of different tests to effects of native language. METHOD The online battery comprised three tests of speech in quiet (vowel and consonant identification and words in sentences), four tests of speech perception in noise (two for intelligibility and two for comprehension), and three tests of spectrotemporal processing (two tests of stochastically modulated pattern discrimination and one test of spectral resolution). Participants were 28 adult Spanish-English bilinguals whose English acquisition began either early (≤ 6 years old) or late (≥ 7 years old) and 18 English monolingual speakers. RESULTS Significant differences were found in six of the 10 tests. The differences were most pronounced for vowel perception in quiet, speech-in-noise test, and two tests of speech comprehension in noise. Late bilinguals consistently scored lower than native English speakers or early bilinguals. In contrast, no differences between groups were observed for digits-in-noise or three tests of spectrotemporal processing abilities. CONCLUSION The findings suggest initial feasibility of online assessment in this population and can inform selection of tests for auditory assessment of Spanish-English bilinguals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miwako Hisagi
- Department of Communication Disorders, California State University, Los Angeles
| | - Melissa Baker
- Long Island Doctor of Audiology Consortium, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
| | - Elizabeth Alvarado
- Department of Communication Disorders, California State University, Los Angeles
| | - Valeriy Shafiro
- Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
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Yuan L, Li D, Tian Y, Sun Y. The Risk of Hearing Impairment From Ambient Air Pollution and the Moderating Effect of a Healthy Diet: Findings From the United Kingdom Biobank. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:856124. [PMID: 35465613 PMCID: PMC9018982 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.856124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The link between hearing impairment and air pollution has not been established, and the moderating effect of a healthy diet has never been investigated before. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between air pollution and hearing impairment in British adults aged 37-73 years, and whether the association was modified by a healthy diet. We performed a cross-sectional population-based study with 158,811 participants who provided data from United Kingdom Biobank. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to investigate the link between air pollution and hearing impairment. Subgroup and effect modification analyses were carried out according to healthy diet scores, gender, and age. In the fully adjusted model, we found that exposure to PM10, NOX, and NO2 was associated with hearing impairment [PM10: odds ratio (OR) = 1.15, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.02-1.30, P = 0.023; NOX: OR = 1.02, 95% CI 1.00-1.03, P = 0.040; NO2: OR = 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.06, P = 0.044], while PM2.5 and PM2.5 absorbance did not show similar associations. We discovered an interactive effect of age and air pollution on hearing impairment, but a healthy diet did not. The findings suggested that exposure to PM10, NOX and NO2 was linked to hearing impairment in British adults, whereas PM2.5 and PM2.5 absorbance did not show similar associations. These may help researchers focus more on the impact of air pollution on hearing impairment and provide a basis for developing effective prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanlai Yuan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Dankang Li
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yaohua Tian
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yu Sun
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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