The impact of COVID-19 on communicative accessibility and well-being in adults with hearing impairment: a survey study
Abstract Background COVID-19 measures, such as face masks, have clear consequences for the communicative accessibility of people with hearing impairment because they reduce speech perception. As communication is essential to participate in society, this might have impact on their mental well-being....
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-04-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-15514-0 |
| _version_ | 1797849824643514368 |
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| author | Annemiek Hammer Martine Coene |
| author_facet | Annemiek Hammer Martine Coene |
| author_sort | Annemiek Hammer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background COVID-19 measures, such as face masks, have clear consequences for the communicative accessibility of people with hearing impairment because they reduce speech perception. As communication is essential to participate in society, this might have impact on their mental well-being. This study was set out to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 measures on the communicative accessibility and well-being of adults with hearing impairment. Method Two groups of adults took part in this study, with (N = 150) and without (N = 50) hearing loss. The participants answered statements on a five point Likert-scale. Statements regarding communicative accessibility involved speech perception abilities, behavioral changes and access to information. Well-being was measured at the overall level in daily community life and at work, and in particular also with respect to perceived stress. We asked participants with hearing impairment on their audiological needs during the pandemic. Results Significant group differences were found on speech perception abilities due to COVID-19 measures. Behavioral changes were observed to compensate for the loss in speech perception. Hearing loss was associated with an increased request for repetition or for removal of the face mask. Using information technology (e.g. Zoom) or contacting colleagues did not pose any major problems for the hearing group, whereas participants with hearing loss gave mixed responses. A significant difference emerged between groups on well-being in daily life, but not on well-being at work or perceived stress. Conclusions This study shows the detrimental effect of COVID-19 measures on the communicative accessibility of individuals with hearing loss. It also shows their resilience as only partial group differences were found on well-being. Protective factors are indicated, such as access to information and audiological care. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T18:50:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-477e9541f9204fec86daa0ed9b614c31 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T18:50:26Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-477e9541f9204fec86daa0ed9b614c312023-04-09T11:28:53ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582023-04-0123111210.1186/s12889-023-15514-0The impact of COVID-19 on communicative accessibility and well-being in adults with hearing impairment: a survey studyAnnemiek Hammer0Martine Coene1Faculty of Humanities, Applied Linguistics, Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamFaculty of Humanities, Applied Linguistics, Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamAbstract Background COVID-19 measures, such as face masks, have clear consequences for the communicative accessibility of people with hearing impairment because they reduce speech perception. As communication is essential to participate in society, this might have impact on their mental well-being. This study was set out to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 measures on the communicative accessibility and well-being of adults with hearing impairment. Method Two groups of adults took part in this study, with (N = 150) and without (N = 50) hearing loss. The participants answered statements on a five point Likert-scale. Statements regarding communicative accessibility involved speech perception abilities, behavioral changes and access to information. Well-being was measured at the overall level in daily community life and at work, and in particular also with respect to perceived stress. We asked participants with hearing impairment on their audiological needs during the pandemic. Results Significant group differences were found on speech perception abilities due to COVID-19 measures. Behavioral changes were observed to compensate for the loss in speech perception. Hearing loss was associated with an increased request for repetition or for removal of the face mask. Using information technology (e.g. Zoom) or contacting colleagues did not pose any major problems for the hearing group, whereas participants with hearing loss gave mixed responses. A significant difference emerged between groups on well-being in daily life, but not on well-being at work or perceived stress. Conclusions This study shows the detrimental effect of COVID-19 measures on the communicative accessibility of individuals with hearing loss. It also shows their resilience as only partial group differences were found on well-being. Protective factors are indicated, such as access to information and audiological care.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-15514-0Hearing impairmentCommunicationAccessibilityWell-beingResilienceCOVID-19 |
| spellingShingle | Annemiek Hammer Martine Coene The impact of COVID-19 on communicative accessibility and well-being in adults with hearing impairment: a survey study BMC Public Health Hearing impairment Communication Accessibility Well-being Resilience COVID-19 |
| title | The impact of COVID-19 on communicative accessibility and well-being in adults with hearing impairment: a survey study |
| title_full | The impact of COVID-19 on communicative accessibility and well-being in adults with hearing impairment: a survey study |
| title_fullStr | The impact of COVID-19 on communicative accessibility and well-being in adults with hearing impairment: a survey study |
| title_full_unstemmed | The impact of COVID-19 on communicative accessibility and well-being in adults with hearing impairment: a survey study |
| title_short | The impact of COVID-19 on communicative accessibility and well-being in adults with hearing impairment: a survey study |
| title_sort | impact of covid 19 on communicative accessibility and well being in adults with hearing impairment a survey study |
| topic | Hearing impairment Communication Accessibility Well-being Resilience COVID-19 |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-15514-0 |
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