Healthcare Professionals' Knowledge, Skills, and Information Needs Pertaining to Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids in Swedish Nursing Homes: A Cross-Sectional Study and Psychometric Evaluation

• Published in: Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare 2024-01, Vol.17, p.4693-4707
• Main Authors: Bjuresäter, Kaisa, Bergström Andrén, Mattias, Mäki-Torkko, Elina, Anderzén-Carlsson, Agneta, Carlsson, Per-Inge
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; competence; Health aspects; health care professionals; Hearing aids; Hearing loss; instrument translation; Nursing home patients; Nursing homes; Nursing Science; Omvårdnad; Original Research; Practical nurses; psychometric testing; Registered nurses; Surveys
• ISSN: 1178-2390; 1178-2390
• DOI: 10.2147/JMDH.S468262

Hearing loss increases with age and due to increased life expectancy there is an increase in the number of individuals living with hearing loss. Older people with hearing loss residing in nursing homes are often dependent on healthcare professionals to help them with their hearing aids. The aim of the study was to translate and test the psychometric properties of a Swedish version of a Norwegian questionnaire and to assess healthcare professionals' self-reported knowledge, experience, skills, competence, and information needs pertaining to residents' hearing loss and hearing aids in the Swedish context. A Norwegian questionnaire was translated and adapted, and thereafter distributed to healthcare professionals in nine nursing homes in mid Sweden between 2020 and 2021, and 313 questionnaires were returned. An exploratory factor analysis demonstrated adequate factorial structure in six factors, satisfying construct validity and internal consistency for the Swedish version. A confirmatory factor analysis showed a satisfactory model fit. Healthcare professionals reported having the skills required for handling hearing aids, but reported lower scores for having received information about hearing aids, taking initiatives to refer residents to hearing healthcare units, and checking for earwax. Registered nurses generally reported lower perceived knowledge and practical skills concerning hearing aids. Seventy-seven percent of the total group reported a need for information regarding hearing aid maintenance. Healthcare professionals reported that the majority of nursing home residents need help with their hearing aids, but only a minority of these professionals had received education on hearing loss and training in hearing aid maintenance. Enrolled nurses and care assistants demonstrated higher levels of competence in handling hearing aids compared to registered nurses. In order to ensure safe and effective care, as well as facilitate communication among older adults with hearing loss, healthcare professionals need appropriate education and training.