title: The effect of hearing impairment in older people on the spouse.
abstract: The prevalence of hearing impairment (HI) in older people and its detrimental effects on their quality of life and well-being is well known. To date however, there have been few studies investigating the impact on the person's spouse. To investigate this topic, a qualitative study consisting of in-depth interviews was conducted with five female and five male spouses of older people with HI. The aims of the study were: (1) to describe the spouses' experiences of living with someone with a HI; (2) to describe the effect of HI on the couples' communication and relationship; and (3) to identify coping strategies adopted by spouses. An interpretive analysis revealed four themes that described the experience of spouses of older people with HI: (1) the broad ranging effects of the HI on the spouses' everyday lives; (2) the spouses' need to constantly adapt to their partners' HI; (3) the effect of acceptance of the HI on the spouse; and (4) the impact of ageing and retirement. Spouses in this study experienced a wide range of effects as a result of their partners' HI. Implications for audiological rehabilitation are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Communication Disability Centre, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Nerina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Scarinci
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Worrall
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hickson
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012917:Social Adjustment; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological