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Counseling adults with hearing aids: Practice and perceptions of Audiologists in South Africa

While hearing aids offer improved hearing and communication to adults with acquired hearing loss, acceptance and use of hearing aids is frequently not optimal. The importance of counseling cannot be underestimated, especially in contexts of limited access to services. An electronic survey was used to investigate counseling practice and skills of audiologists in South Africa. One hundred and fifty two audiologists registered with either of the two professional associations, the South African Association of Audiologists and the South African Speech Language and Hearing Association participated in the study. Sixty percent of the audiologists were employed in the private sector. Results revealed that the majority spent up to only 15 minutes per session on counseling, and tended to offer counseling mostly immediately after audiological evaluation and during hearing aid fitting and evaluation. The majority (98%) gained information on impact of hearing loss using case history interviews, as opposed to formal assessment tools. Participants rated their skills highest on informational counseling and least on rational acceptance counseling. A statistically significant effect was observed with the number of years of clinical experience and rating of confidence in rational acceptance and adjustment counseling. Less years of experience was needed in informational counseling to reach a higher level of skill rating. Challenges included language barriers, unrealistic client expectations and time constraints. The majority of the participants (82%) indicated the need to improve their counseling skills to better serve adult clients who need hearing aids. The results have valuable clinical implications for the rendering of adult rehabilitative audiological services in South Africa. Recommendations include increased focus on counseling within the Audiology clinical training curriculum, and offering of courses to qualified professionals to increase knowledge and skills in counselling with regard to informational, rational acceptance and adjustment counseling.

Husmita Ratanjee (POC,Primary Presenter,Author), University of KwaZulu-Natal, husmita.r@gmail.com;
I am a South African audiologist with a Bachelor of Science degree in Audiology and has recently earned my Master’s in Communication Pathology (Audiology) qualification. I have had the opportunity to work in a clinical and corporate setting, in South Africa, Canada and Denmark. My recent research supervised by Dr. L. Joseph sheds light on the practices of South African audiologists within the realm of counseling adult patients. The research also suggests ways of improving the knowledge and skill level of current audiologists as well influencing the current curriculum of new students.

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Dr. Neethie (Lavanithum) Joseph (Co-Presenter,Co-Author), University of KwaZulu-Natal, josephl@ukzn.ac.za;
Obtained a Bachelors degree in Speech and Hearing Therapy from the University of KwaZulu- Natal (former University of Durban Westville) in 1986. Completed her post graduate studies under Prof Erna Alant at the University of Pretoria, graduating with a Masters in Communication Pathology (Cum Laude) in 1999, and a PhD with specialization in Augmentative and Alternative Communication, focusing on South African Sign Language and mother – child communication related to deafness, in 2009. Has worked in the KZN Department of Health and in the Department of education. Joined the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 1995 as a lecturer in Speech Therapy and Audiology. Has held the position of Head of Discipline over a number of years. Has taught in a variety of areas in audiology and supervised a number of honors level audiology research projects. Teaches extensively in the post graduate program at masters and PhD level. Areas include diagnostic audiology, early hearing detection and intervention, ototoxicity, paediatric hearing loss with HIV/AIDS, Otoxicity and MDR-TB, tinnitus, adult aural rehabilitation, and more recently recreational noise. Serves as external examiner for undergraduate and post graduate programmes including masters and PhD study in South Africa in the field of Audiology.

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