title: An Exploratory Study Identifying a Possible Response Shift Phenomena of theGlasgow Hearing Aid Benefit Profile.
abstract: A then-test technique was used to investigate the possibility of a response shift in theGlasgow hearing aid benefit profile(GHABP). Following completion of part 1 of the GHABP, 16 adults were invited for hearing-aid follow up appointments. In accordance with then-test technique, participants were asked to think back to before they had their hearing-aids fitted and the GHABP part 1 was completed again to re-establish the disability and handicap scores. These scores were then compared with the initial GHABP part I scores. Paired T testing and Wilcoxon Rank tests were carried out to investigate the statistical significance of the response shift effect. Statistically significant differences were seen between initial and retrospective GHABP (disability) scores using t test. No significant differences could be seen between the initial and retrospective handicap scores. Results suggest participants may have demonstrated a possible response shift phenomenon with the disability construct of the GHABP questionnaire, related to a possible re-calibration effect or a denial of disability effect. This exploratory study suggests that the GHABP questionnaire may be subject to a response shift phenomena. We suggest that further more robust studies are completed to verify this and recommend that this could have psychological impact on participants when explaining the results of the outcome measure and may affect hearing aid use. There is also potential for this phenomenon to affect global GHABP scores specifically when demonstrating to stakeholders the overall success of an audiology service.
authors.affiliation: Cwm Taf University Healthboard, Audiology Department, Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Ynysmaerdy, Llantrisant, Pontyclun, Wales, UK; Swansea University, College of Health and Human Sciences, Swansea, Wales, UK.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arthur
authors.affiliation: Swansea University, College of Health and Human Sciences , Swansea, Wales, UK.
authors.forename: Tessa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Watts
authors.affiliation: Swansea University, College of Health and Human Sciences , Swansea, Wales, UK.
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX, USA; The Swedish Institute for Disability Research, Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; Audiology India, Mysore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Vinaya
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Manchaiah
authors.affiliation: Swansea University, College of Health and Human Sciences , Swansea, Wales, UK.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Slater
keywords: Glasgow hearing aid benefit profile; Hearing aids; hearing aid benefit; outcome measures; response shift