Abstract
<span>The aims of this study were threefold; to generate a variable pool describing positive experiences associated with hearing disability; to determine if ability to identify positive experiences associates with specific demographic and audiological characteristics; to establish whether there are differences between the positive experiences cited in terms of perceived “helpfulness” in living with auditory disablement. A convenience sample of 207 audiological rehabilitation patients completed an open‐ended questionnaire and a visual analogue scale. 40% of respondents listed one or more positive experiences. Ability to identify positive experiences associated with age (<em>t</em> = 4.98; <em>p</em> < 0.001, occupational group (<em>X</em><sup>2</sup> = 6,42;<em> p</em> < 0.02) and previous use of a hearing aid (<em>X</em><sup>2</sup> = 9.7; <em>p</em>,0.002). An analysis of respondents’ positive comments generated five core themes ‐ Positive audiological experiences, Self enhancement, Environmental Factors which improve social participation, Positive outcomes and outlooks and Positive social participation. An analysis of “helpfulness” ratings using the visual analogue scale found no difference between the most common positive experiences cited.</span>
Highlights
Until recently, much of our current knowledge about physical disability has been confined to its negative characteristics of deficit, disadvantage and restriction
Findings from our research into hearing impairment (Stephens, Jaworkski Kerr and Zhao 1998, Kerr and Stephens 1997, Kerr and Cowie 1997, Stewart-Kerr 1991) suggest that the experience of this sensory impairment can incorporate positive as well as negative dimensions, Our work is based on the premise that information about the positive dimensions to living with this disablement can increase rehabilitation effectiveness by a) generating "positive" outcome indicators of functioning for inclusion in the assessment and evaluation components of the rehabilitation process and b) identifying "positive" experiences for inclusion in rehabilitation programmes which seek to maximise effective self management and adjustment to living with auditory disablement (Kerr and Stephens 1999)
The first aim of this study was to determine if ability to identify positive experiences associated with specific demographic and audiological characteristics
Summary
Much of our current knowledge about physical disability has been confined to its negative characteristics of deficit, disadvantage and restriction. In the domain of hearing impairment Kerr and Cowie (1997) presented quantitative evidence that positive experiences were considered by some people, who had acquired their hearing loss in adult life, to be important in affecting the quality of their lives. This evidence indicated that people who reported benefit from some types of positive experiences were likely to benefit from others. The positive dimension is acknowledged in recent draft revisions to the ICIDH-2 framework (WHO, 1998) These documents highlight the inclusion of "positive" outcome indicators in the measurement of function in the context of disablement. Evidence of positive dimensions to the experience of living with physical disability is comparatively limited and overshadowed by the wider body of evidence concerned with negative consequences
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