title: Factors that influence disclosure of hearing loss in the workplace.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the study was to identify factors that lead individuals to conceal or disclose their hearing loss in the workplace.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative research paradigm called qualitative description was selected to address this issue.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.affiliation: Institut de recherche Élisabeth-Bruyére Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada. ksouthall@bruyere.org
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Southall
authors.forename: Mary Beth
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Jennings
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Gagné
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003142:Communication; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario; D010465:Perception; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011792:Quebec; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D057545:Social Stigma; D013240:Stereotyping; D014342:Truth Disclosure; D017132:Workplace