Burnout in U.S. Audiologists

Abstract

Research on burnout in audiologists is limited, especially in the United States. Recent changes to the profession may have increased burnout. The purpose was to investigate burnout in the U.S. audiologists in diverse work settings. This study used three surveys: demographics/workplace stressors, Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), and professional quality of life (ProQOL). Participants were 149 U.S. audiologists. Participants were diverse regarding experience, work setting, and location. The first survey provided demographics, perspectives on over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, stressors, and stress rating. The MBI assessed three dimensions of burnout: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. The ProQOL assessed burnout, compassion fatigue, and compassion satisfaction. Analyses included descriptive and inferential statistics of quantitative data and thematic analysis of qualitative data. Audiologists had low burnout, low compassion fatigue, and high compassion satisfaction. Experience was not related to stress rating; however, more experienced audiologists had greater compassion satisfaction and lower burnout, emotional exhaustion, and depersonalization compared with less experienced audiologists. Concern about OTC hearing aids was associated with stress rating. Thematic analysis identified 11 stressors, with 50% of stressors classified under work duties, time, and patients. The U.S. audiologists had low burnout rates. Burnout was greatest in less experienced audiologists. Stress was not related to experience. Stressors included insufficient time to see patients, heavy caseload, time-consuming administrative tasks, pressure to sell hearing aids, and stressful interpersonal communication.