title: A qualitative investigation of decision making during help-seeking for adult hearing loss.
abstract: The Any Qualified Provider framework in the National Health Service has changed the way adult audiology services are offered in England. Under the new rules, patients are being offered a choice in geographical location and audiology provider. This study aimed to explore how choices in treatment are presented and to identify what information patients need when they are seeking help with hearing loss.
  
  
  
  This study adopted qualitative methods of ethnographic observations and focus group interviews to identify information needed prior to, and during, help-seeking. Observational data and focus group data were analysed using the constant comparison method of grounded theory.
  
  
  
  Participants were recruited from a community Health and Social Care Trust in the west of England. This service incorporates both an Audiology and a Hearing Therapy service. Twenty seven participants were involved in focus groups or interviews.
  
  
  
  Participants receive little information beyond the detail of hearing aids. Participants report little information that was not directly related to uptake of hearing aids.
  
  
  
  Participant preferences were not explored and limited information resulted in decisions that were clinician-led. The gaps in information reflect previous data on clinician communication and highlight the need for consistent information on a range of interventions to manage hearing loss.
authors.affiliation: a Audiology, School of Life and Health Sciences , Aston University , Birmingham , UK .
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pryce
authors.affiliation: b Children's Hearing Centre , St Michael's Hospital , Bristol , UK .
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.affiliation: c Eriksholm Research Centre , Snekkersten , Denmark .|d Department of Behavioral Sciences and Learning , Linköping University , Linköping , Sweden , and.
authors.forename: Ariane
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Laplante-Lévesque
authors.affiliation: e Hearing Therapy Volunteer Service, Sirona Care and Health, St Martins Hospital , Bath , UK.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Clark
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D000072018:Audiologists / Q000523:psychology; D001307:Auditory Perception; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003142:Communication; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010358:Patient Participation; D019986:Persons with Hearing Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: Adult audiology; decision aid; hearing aid; option grid; shared decision making