The impact of hearing loss on the quality of life of older people

Abstract

Age-related hearing loss or ‘presbycusis’ is a biological phenomenon that grows significantly with age and due to its high prevalence is considered as the third chronic condition. Yet, genetic and extrinsic factors are considered to be determining elements influencing about it. Thus, the detrimental consequences that impact their quality of life generate a variety of disorders, therefore impacting on social, functional, and psychological well-being. This study aimed to explore the repercussions that hearing impairment induces on the quality of life of the affected older person and the strategies that they adopted to manage this impairment. It also investigated, the impact that hearing loss has on the psychological health of older people. Further, it explained how hearing loss is responsible for psychosocial changes resulting in reactions like anxiety, frustration, depression, paranoia, and stigma. To explore this topic a qualitative approach incorporating semi-structured interviews conducted with four female and six male, and their respective relatives were embraced. The general findings revealed an association between acceptance of the hearing condition and the managing techniques. The data showed that communicative disorder was a predictive factor for withdrawal, decreased social capital, and social isolation, which appeared to have higher levels when combined with other comorbidities. These older persons were surrounded and receiving the familial support from their informal network providing not only assistance and personal care but also emotional support and financial backup. Additionally, older informal caregivers experienced higher levels of stress. Furthermore, whilst informal assistance was the main source of support, formal assistance showed that is not meeting the affected hearing older persons' expectations. However, this study strongly supports the relationship between high levels of hearing aids' quality and levels of subjective satisfaction, contributing to higher levels of received services' satisfaction. Finally, this research concluded that these older persons are in an undeniable need for counselling and aural rehabilitation, for the purpose of making available for them and their family members instructions, perceptual training, and counselling. Such programmes should aim a centred hearing-impaired person approach and a multidisciplinary management considering incorporating social, psychological, informational, and educational disciplines.