2023 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 5-7, 2023 • Cincinnati, OH
10/13/2017 | 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM | Do hearing aids improve lives? An impact study among a low-income population in Guatemala | East Ballroom at Shalala Student Services Building
Do hearing aids improve lives? An impact study among a low-income population in Guatemala
To date only a limited number of small studies have been undertaken on the impact of hearing loss and hearing aids within low and middle income countries.
The aim of this research study was to assess the impact of hearing impairment and the provision of hearing aids on an adult population in Guatemala.
A controlled, before-and-after impact evaluation was conducted. The study identified 206 cases with moderate to profound hearing loss and 146 matched age and gender controls. Controls underwent an auditory screening test to confirm that they did not have any pre-existing, undiagnosed disabling hearing loss. All cases and controls were interviewed at baseline, in their home using a structured questionnaire that included items on poverty, quality of life, mental health and activities. Cases with hearing loss were provided with hearing aids and after a period of 6-9 months, cases and controls were re-interviewed to assess the impact of the intervention.
The results of the study at baseline indicated that cases with hearing loss were significantly poorer as measured by income and expenditure, twice as likely to have depressive symptoms and reported poorer quality of life. At follow-up, cases fitted with hearing aids reported significantly fewer symptoms of depression, had a significantly improved quality of life and reported improved communication, feeling safer and more confident and increased effectiveness at work. Impacts on poverty were more nuanced.
This research has demonstrated the positive impact that hearing aids, as part of a comprehensive fitting and aural aftercare programme may have on significantly improving quality of life and reducing symptoms of depression for people living in a low-middle income country.
The outcomes of this research have implications for ministerial advocacy, aural rehabilitation programme development and community outreach as well as building a foundation for further research within low and middle income countries.
- Within an adult population of a low-middle income country, understand the impact of hearing loss
- Within an adult population of a low-middle income country, assess the impact of hearing aid provision
- A foundation for further research within low and middle income countries
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Presenters/Authors
Mark Spreckley
(), London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine , mark.spreckley@lshtm.ac.uk ;
Mark Spreckley has a clinical background in Physiotherapy and Master’s degree’s in Business Administration (MBA) and Research (MRes). He has extensive experience in healthcare management and has undertaken research in a range of national and international public health settings. He is currently a Student Doctor of Public Health within the International Centre for Evidence in Disability at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. Mark has bilateral moderate hearing loss and wears hearing aids.
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