title: Paid Support Workers for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities; Their Current Knowledge of Hearing Loss and Future Training Needs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  People with intellectual disabilities are more likely to have hearing loss than the general population. For those unable to self-advocate, the responsibility of detection and management falls to their caregivers.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is the first cycle of a project using action research methodology to improve services. Twenty care workers were interviewed to understand their knowledge of hearing loss and hearing aids. Themes were generated using thematic analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This group was better qualified than their peers but received minimal training in hearing loss. They were unable to accurately estimate expected prevalence and had a negative perception of hearing aids. Only 7% of service users were known to have hearing loss.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Current training is not sufficient to provide the skills for detection and management of hearing problems. This group had clear ideas on methods of learning. Working in collaboration is necessary to achieve long-term change to practice.
authors.affiliation: Audiology Department, Sunderland Royal Hospital, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, UK.
authors.forename: Lynzee
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McShea
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sunderland, Sunderland, UK.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fulton
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sunderland, Sunderland, UK.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hayes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006310:Hearing Aids; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: awareness; care worker; hearing; support; training