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UC looking into life quality impacts of hearing impairments
UC looking into the life quality impacts of people with hearing impairment
May 5, 2013
The
University of Canterbury (UC) is looking into the impacts of
the quality of life of New Zealanders who have a hearing
impairment.
Overseas studies have shown that hearing impairment can lead to withdrawal from participation in social events, feelings of depression, anxiety, decreased job and marital satisfaction.
It is estimated one in a
six of all New Zealanders have a hearing impairment.
UC
communication disorders researcher Dr Rebecca
Kelly-Campbell says she wants to find out what quality of
life issues specifically impact on people who have hearing
problems.
``These issues include age, degree of hearing
impairment, whether or not they wear hearing aids and are
satisfied with them, relationship status and other couples.
``We would like to investigate which variables
contribute to the perception of quality of life for adults
with hearing impairment who live in New Zealand.
``In the
US, studies hearing impaired people in a relationship have a
more positive view of quality of life than people who are
not in a relationship.
``We are actively seeking
and recruiting 160 survey participants from around New
Zealand with hearing impairment throughout New Zealand and
hope to collect all the data by early June.
``We
would like to get a wide range of participants so we
understand the experience of all adults in NZ with hearing
impairment. All participants will receive a free hearing
evaluation.’’
Dr Kelly-Campbell says there has not been a study published in New Zealand that has looked at study quality of life for the general population of adults with hearing impairment.
The researchers say they are not
assuming the findings from overseas studies will be the same
for people living in New Zealand.
``It’s
important that we understand how hearing impairment affects
adults’ everyday lives so we can better meet their needs
and improve our clinical services.
``We may find a
correlation between overall health status and the impact of
hearing impairment on quality of life. If that’s the case,
we can improve access to health care for adults with hearing
impairment,’’ Dr Kelly-Campbell says.
The study
is being funded by a grant from UC’s College of Science
and initial results will be known by the end of the
year.
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