Self-reported Communication Strategies Used by Individuals with Hearing Loss and its Influence on the Hearing Loss Related Quality of Life of their Communication Partners

Abstract Background: Hearing loss can significantly impact the social, functional, and psychological well-being of both the individual with hearing loss (IWHL) and their communication partner (CP). Existing literature indicates that third-party disability increases with increasing degree of hearing loss. Very few studies have investigated the effects of communication strategies used by IWHL on third-party disability in their CPs. Hence, this study was conducted to investigate the communication strategies used by IWHL and its influence on hearing loss-related quality of life of their CPs. Methods: Two questionnaires were administered to 30 pairs of IWHL and CPs: the Communication Strategies Scale (CSS) of the Communication Profile for the Hearing Impaired for IWHL and the Hearing Impairment Impact-Significant Other Profile (HII-SOP) for their CPs. Statistical analysis encompassed Pearson correlation and linear regression to explore the relationships between communication strategies used by IWHL and hearing loss related Quality of Life (QoL) among CPs. Results: A significant positive correlation was found between the total score of the CSS and scores of the HII-SOP communication strategy subscale. All three subscales of the CSS were significantly correlated with the HII-SOP scores. The maladaptive behaviors were negatively correlated with the HII-SOP scores, whereas the verbal and nonverbal communication strategies were positively correlated. A regression analysis revealed that the CSS used by IWHL explained 26.7% of the variance in third-party disability experienced by the CPs. Conclusion: Overall, this study underscores the importance of addressing communication challenges in IWHLs to improve the QoL of both IWHL and their CPs.