The development of a socio-emotional assessment of hearing loss for Maltese adults

Abstract

Hearing loss may have social and emotional consequences on one’s life. The aim of this research was to explore the social and emotional consequences of hearing loss in Maltese adults. This was done through the development of the Maltese-English Index of Hearing Impairment (MEIHI). Data was obtained through the completion of the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults (HHIA), the MEIHI and pure-tone audiometry. Convenience sampling was used to recruit a sample of 100 Maltese adults aged between 18 and 64 years with a hearing loss greater than 25dBHL in at least one ear. Psychometric analysis was conducted in order to assess the validity and reliability of the MEIHI. A factor analysis revealed two significant factors consisting of a total of 15 item loadings. The MEIHI was found to have high internal consistency reliability for each of the two subscales. Further measures of validity and reliability were demonstrated. Significant differences in the scores by demographic, and clinical variables, together with audiometric measures were highlighted. Findings show that hearing in the better ear was the best predictor of both social and emotional subscales scores. The results indicated that participation in leisure activities related to noise exposure and auditory damage was a predictor of the social subscale, (i.e. the scores of individuals who participated in these kind of leisure activities predicted a better social outcome). The use of hearing aids was a predictor of the emotional subscale (i.e. the scores of individuals who made use of hearing aids predicted greater emotional difficulties). The outcomes of the research will be used to make clinical recommendations for audiological counselling of individuals with a hearing loss, which includes a more person-centred and personalised approach to aural rehabilitation.