AUDIOLOGIST OPINION ON AUDIOLOGICAL AND REMEDIATION HABITS KAITLIN - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

A SURVEY AND ANALYSIS OF AUDIOLOGIST OPINION ON AUDIOLOGICAL AND REMEDIATION HABITS KAITLIN M. TAYLOR, SPEECH AND HEARING SCIENCE MAJOR, LAMAR UNIVERSITY WITH ASHLEY L. DOCKENS, FACULTY MENTOR, SPEECH AND HEARING SCIENCE DEPARTMENT, LAMAR UNIVERSITY. APRIL 2016

Abstract  In the geriatric population, hearing loss has been associated with reduced quality of general health. My past research indicated that the geriatric hearing impaired population of Jefferson County, TX were not seeking audiological care. For the present study, certified audiology professionals across Texas have been surveyed to determine their professional opinions on what population is seeking prevention and remediation services. Through data compilation and analysis is has been determined that the age group of 40-60 year olds are not seeking audiological care and the majority of patients seen by audiologists in Texas are age 65 and older. One of the main barriers for all demographics is hearing care coverage where the majority of audiologists interviewed stated that their patients are not getting the services that they need covered by insurance. This being said audiologist stated that the majority of their patients did have insurance coverage. When asked what they would like to change most about the audiological industry they answered that more independence from the hearing aid manufacturers was needed. Implications of this study are still ongoing.

Method  A questionnaire was created and verified to be appropriate by audiologists. Over 50 hearing centers were contacted across the state of Texas. Interviews were scheduled with 15 audiologists and the rest were conducted as the audiologists could be reached. In total 21 audiologists were interviewed. The results were compiled and analyzed. Abstract, discussion, and graphs were created from representative data. A poster was created and the completed project was presented at the 2016 Research Expo at Lamar University.

Results  Descriptive statistics and an analysis of the interviews and common themes were completed. It was found that to the question “What percentage of patients have insurance that covers audiological care?”, the majority of audiologists interviewed responded that their patients had insurance. The lowest response was that only 45% had insurance and the highest response was that 90% had insurance. A follow up question was asked to all interviewees “What percentage of your patients have insurance that covers hearing aids?” To this question the majority answered that their patients did not have coverage for hearing aids. When asked “How does untreated hearing loss effect your patients emotionally?” all audiologists responded negatively. Some of the specific answers were that is caused isolation and depression but all agreed that it caused negative outcome for the patients.

Results  To the question “What brings patients into see audiologists?” most audiologist had different answers. Some said the patient’s family was the reason they sought audiological care, others said patients finally became aware of hearing issues, where other audiologists said they were referred to seek treatment. To the question “What percentage of your patients are over the age of 50?” the majority of audiologists stated that the highest demographic that is seen within their clinic was over the age of 50. Audiologists across the board stated that their patients are seen to have improvement in the happiness of patients who have been successfully treated for hearing loss. To the question “Do you feel like the majority of patients who have been seen before continue to seek audiological treatment or is the course of treatment cut short due to non- attendance?” most audiologists interviewed stated that they see good patient retention and with a course of treatment plan set in place, most patients follow the treatment. Most said that audiological rehabilitation was a successful practice at their clinics where they saw high retention.

Results  The missing demographic that audiologist felt was not attending audiological treatment was the age group of 40-60 year olds. The reasons why the audiologists thought this demographic was not fairly represented varied. Some audiologists said that it was due to denial and others said it was due to not wanting to get older.  The final question was asked “If you could change one thing about the hearing care industry what would it be?” and the responses to the question varied. Some responses are as follows: “Would like to see more independence for the audiologists and less interference by the hearing aid manufacturers.” and “Would like to see the numbers of patients be more reflective of the statistics of hearing loss.”

Graphs What percentage of patients have insurance that covers audiological care? 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% Number of patients that have coverage for hearing tests 40% Number of patients whose insurance covers hearing aids 30% 20% 10% 0% 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 885 1 18 19 20 21

Graphs

Graphs PERCENT OF PATIENTS OVER THE AGE OF 55 (representative sample response) 90% 80% 80% 80% 75% 75% 70% 70% 70% 65% 65% 60% 60% 60% PERCENTAGE 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 4 16 6 10 8 14 9 12 7 13 AUDIOLOGIST RESPONSE

Discussion  Results revealed that audiologists believe the demographic most absent from audiological treatment is hearing impaired aged 40 and 60. Most stated that this was due to patient acceptance of hearing loss and financial barriers. Audiologists indicated that the most abundant age group seen was those over the age of 65. The majority of audiologists interviewed indicated that while most of their patients had insurance, it did not cover the cost of hearing aids. Findings suggest there are still obstacles in the audiological industry that need corrected in order for greater numbers of people who are in need of treatment to receive management.

Limitations  Limitations include:  Relatively small sample size.  Information was predominately qualitative not quantitative.  Some bias could be found due to the nature of the questions and I the researcher asking the audiologist the interview questions. Even though I kept my opinions on the subjects silent it could still be said that bias may have swayed the doctors interviewed.

Acknowledgments  Thank you to Dr. Ashley Dockens for your mentoring throughout the length of this project. I could not have done it without your help. Thank you to Dr. Monica Harn for your support and guidance. Thank you to the Office of Undergraduate Research at Lamar University and the Grant Funding Committee for supporting and recognizing this research. Thank you to all the audiologists across Texas who participated in this project.