OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to identify factors that lead individuals to conceal or disclose their hearing loss in the workplace. DESIGN: A qualitative research paradigm called qualitative description was selected to address this issue. STUDY SAMPLE: Twelve people who had an adult onset hearing loss, and were gainfully employed, participated in audio-recorded semi-structured interviews designed to probe issues related to disclosure of hearing loss. A photo elicitation interview technique was employed during the interviews. Content analyses were used to extract pertinent information from verbatim transcripts. RESULTS: Five recurring themes emerged as important considerations in relation to this topic: (1) perceived importance of the situation; (2) perceived sense of control; (3) community affiliation; (4) burden of communication; and (5) coexisting issues related to hearing loss. CONCLUSIONS: The findings are discussed in relation to other concealable stigmatizing traits, stigma-theory, and social-cognitive theory. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed, with particular emphasis placed on worker self-efficacy.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to identify factors that lead individuals to conceal or disclose their hearing loss in the workplace. DESIGN: A qualitative research paradigm called qualitative description was selected to address this issue. STUDY SAMPLE: Twelve people who had an adult onset hearing loss, and were gainfully employed, participated in audio-recorded semi-structured interviews designed to probe issues related to disclosure of hearing loss. A photo elicitation interview technique was employed during the interviews. Content analyses were used to extract pertinent information from verbatim transcripts. RESULTS: Five recurring themes emerged as important considerations in relation to this topic: (1) perceived importance of the situation; (2) perceived sense of control; (3) community affiliation; (4) burden of communication; and (5) coexisting issues related to hearing loss. CONCLUSIONS: The findings are discussed in relation to other concealable stigmatizing traits, stigma-theory, and social-cognitive theory. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed, with particular emphasis placed on worker self-efficacy.
Authors: Arjenne H M Gussenhoven; Johannes R Anema; Birgit I Witte; S Theo Goverts; Sophia E Kramer Journal: Trends Hear Date: 2017 Jan-Dec Impact factor: 3.293
Authors: Walter Wittich; Sarah Granberg; Moa Wahlqvist; M Kathleen Pichora-Fuller; Elina Mäki-Torkko Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2021-01-25 Impact factor: 2.692