Abstract
ObjectivesMany older adults with visual impairment also have significant hearing loss. The aim was to investigate the effectiveness of a newly developed Dual Sensory Loss (DSL) protocol on communication and wellbeing of older persons with DSL and their communication partners (e.g., spouse or child) in the Netherlands and Belgium.MethodsParticipants (N = 131) and their communication partners (n = 113) were randomized in the “DSL-protocol” intervention group or a waiting-list control group. The intervention took 3 to 5 weeks. Occupational therapists focused on optimal use of hearing aids, home-environment modifications and effective communication strategies. The primary outcome was the Communication Strategies domain of the Communication Profile for the Hearing Impaired (CPHI). Secondary outcomes measured in participants were the Low Vision Quality Of Life Adjustment subscale, the Center for Epidemiological Studies - Depression Scale, De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale and the Fatigue Assessment Scale. The Hearing Handicap and Disability Inventory (HHDI) - Reaction of Others subscale and the Care-related Quality of Life - 7 Dimensions was measured in communication partners. Measurements were taken at baseline and 3-month follow-up. Linear mixed models (LMM) were used to analyze effects between groups over time for every outcome measure.ResultsIntention-to-treat analyses showed a significant effect of the DSL-protocol on the use of verbal strategies (effect size SMD = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.25 to 0.95) in favor of the control group, however, this effect was non-significant after adjustment for confounding. Effect sizes of other outcomes varied between −0.23 [−0.57, 0.12] and 0.30 [−0.05, 0.64]. The LMM showed a significant effect on the HHDI-Reaction of others scale in favor of communication partners in the treatment group, however, the effect did not remain significant at a 0.01 significance level and the effect size was very small and non-significant 0.12, 95% CI [−0.27 to 0.51]. Adjusted analyses did not reveal treatment effects.ConclusionThe DSL-protocol did not clearly contribute to the enhancement of communication and wellbeing in DSL-patients. Possible reasons for the lack of effects are OTs not being comfortable giving advice on communication and psychosocial issues or the short-term treatment and follow-up period. Further study is warranted to find out how the protocol may be adapted or whether it is necessary to involve mental healthcare professionals.Clinical Trial Registrationwww.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NTR2843.
Highlights
Communication and social interaction are important for everyone
Participants were randomly allocated to the intervention group (N = 64) or control group (N = 67)
For several reasons, 12 participants allocated to the intervention group did not receive treatment
Summary
Communication and social interaction are important for everyone. Proper hearing and vision are essential for effective communication. In case of DSL, visual impairment may significantly hamper speech-reading ability of patients involved (Dickinson and Taylor, 2011; Morris et al, 2012). Missing out on both audiological as well as visual information exacerbates communication difficulties and social interaction (Jang et al, 2002). This may result in loneliness, social isolation, dependence, and in turn, may lead to reduced quality of life and social participation (Crews and Campbell, 2004; Heine and Browning, 2004; Kiely et al, 2013; McMahon et al, 2017; Jaiswal et al, 2018). Due to the intense concentration required during listening and seeing, the effort needed for communication in daily life consumes energy and exerts on physical strength (Heine and Browning, 2004; Yamada et al, 2014)
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