Background: Identity construction is the predominant developmental task in adolescence and young adulthood. Disabling hearing loss (HL) exacerbates the psychosocial challenges faced by adolescents and young adults (AYA) in their identity construction. The primary goal of this research study was to describe how AYA with disabling HL feel about and perceive their identity. Further, to understand the aspects underlying identity construction, with a focus on self-perception, navigating disability, social roles and relations, and community assimilation. Methodology: A qualitative interpretive phenomenological approach was adopted. Participants were a purposive sample of 5 Deaf and Hard-of-hearing AYA, aged 15 to 19 years. All participants were enrolled in schools for the deaf in the Western Cape and partook in semi-structured phenomenological conversations, where they narrated detailed accounts of their lived experiences with identity construction. Results: Interpretive phenomenological analysis was used to formulate themes. The superordinate themes of creating a self-concept, belonging, stress and being deaf emerged from participants' narratives. Identity construction occurs concurrently at several levels. At the personal level, deaf AYA create self-conceived ideals of who they are (Creating a self-concept), at relational level identity is nurtured through person-to-person and person-to-group interactions (Belonging). At societal level deaf AYA ascertain their position as individuals within the larger society (Being deaf). Protective factors, enabling factors and barriers that threaten positive identity construction, audiological health, and the psychosocial wellbeing of deaf AYA were identified. Overall, findings from this study indicate that the experience of identity construction for AYA with HL is layered and laden with challenges. Identity formation, albeit portrayed as a process of differentiation, is a balancing act. Identity is self-defined and equally exists in a collective identity with others. Identity construction also subjected participants to stress arising from the emotional burdens of HL, stigmatisation, and resultant psychological effects. Amid unique challenges, deaf AYA consciously developed coping mechanisms, some constructive and others detrimental to their audiological health, all while negotiating their position in the larger society. Conclusion: Study findings appeal to individuals in the caring professions such as audiologists, teachers, educational psychologists, and social workers to understand the nuances of identity construction for the successful transitional care of deaf adolescents moving into adulthood. Counselling needs to be responsive to the needs of deaf AYA, identity domains should be upheld in the provision of person-centered care and possible trajectories for identity crisis should be evaluated when considering school placement. Benefits of group counselling and peer support groups should be explored. There is a need for interventions that curb negative audiological health behaviours through assertiveness training and self-advocacy. The micro implementation of employment equity policies and legislation is critical to ensure the realisation of AYA's prospective identities in the South African workforce. Findings call for the reorientation of audiological rehabilitation and strengthening of interdisciplinary collaboration to meet the psychosocial needs of AYA with disabling HL.

No description available.

No description available.

Audiologisk rehabilitering är en komplicerad process som ska innehålla olika insatser byggda på ett holistisk synsätt med medicinska, tekniska och beteendevetenskapliga aspekter involverade. Historiskt har dock den tekniska och medicinska delen ofta fått ta större plats än psykosociala bitar i rehabiliteringen. Syftet med studien var att undersöka likheter och skillnader angående audiologisk rehabilitering utifrån ramverket, ideologin samt praktiken i Danmark, Norge, Sverige och på Island. Metod: För att kunna uppnå syftet och få en mer helhetlig inblick i ämnet delades studien i två delar (litteraturstudie och enkätstudie). Litteraturstudien berörde ramverket i samtliga länder samt ideologin. Enkätstudien berörde praktiken i form av audionomens egen syn på audiologisk rehabilitering samt deras uppfattning av tillvägagångssättet på arbetsplatsen. Resultat: En röd tråd går genom ramverket, ideologin och praktiken i varje land. Vad gäller dessa huvudpunkter visade studien att det fanns både likheter och skillnader länderna emellan. I det stora hela visar resultatet av studien att tankesättet inom audiologisk rehabilitering är något mer holistiskt i Sverige än i de övriga länderna. Slutsats: Trycket om en kostnadseffektiv vård står i kontrast till sjukvårdslagarna då en kortsiktigt planerad hörselvård riskerar att motverka en holistisk audiologisk rehabilitering. / Audiological rehabilitation is a complicated process entailing different aspects from medical, technical and behaviour science forming a holistic treatment. Historically more emphasis has been placed on the technical and medical facets of the treatment compared to the psychosocial. Purpose: The study´s purpose was to inspect similarities and differences regarding audiological rehabilitation by examining the framework, ideology and practice in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Iceland. Method: To be able to achieve the purpose and to get a holistic insight the study was divided into two parts, namely litterature study and questionnaires. The litterature study reviewed the countries framework and ideology. The questionnaire analyzed the audiologists thoughts on audiological rehabilitation as well as the workplace approach. Results: There is a fine thread within each country that goes through the framework, ideology and practice. Furthermore, the study showed that there are both similarities and differences between the different countries. In general the study proved that the mindset in Sweden is more holistic compared to the other countries. Conclusion: The pressure for cost-effective care is in contrast with health care laws as short-term planned health care can counteract an holistic audiological rehabilitation

Uma das condições mais comuns responsável pela perda auditiva durante a infância é a Otite Média (OM). A OM ainda é considerada “questão de saúde pública” devido à sua alta prevalência e distribuição mundial. Há poucos estudos na literatura que relatam as alterações na orelha contralateral (OCL) em pacientes com otite média crônica (OMC). Para enfatizar esses conceitos e analisar com mais profundidade a prevalência de bilateralidade na OMC, há vários anos iniciamos uma linha de pesquisa, focalizando três cenários diferentes: a histopatologia (ROSITO, COSTA, SCHARCHEN, 2007); o padrão clínico e otoscópico (COSTA et al., 2008) e a fisiologia (função auditiva) no presente estudo. Objetivo: Avaliar a função auditiva da OCL em pacientes com OMC através do gap aéreo-ósseo. Comparar os dados audiométricos da OCL levando em conta se o paciente apresenta Otite Média Crônica não Colesteatomatosa (OMCNC) ou Otite Média Crônica Colesteatomatosa (OMCC) na orelha principal (OP). Métodos: Estudo transversal, comparativo e contemporâneo, com 1000 pacientes com diagnóstico de OMC submetidos a exame otorrinolaringológico, videotoscopia e audiometria tonal liminar (ATL). Resultados: A prevalência de gap aéreo-ósseo foi de aproximadamente 40%, tanto na amostra total e na análise estratifica por tipo de OM (na amostra geral houve 392 (39,2%) pacientes, no grupo com OMCNC houve 279 (40,8%), e no grupo com OMCC foram 113 (37,17%). Conclusões: Assim como os achados de estudos clínicos e histopatológicos, a prevalência de alterações audiológicas na OCL foi elevada, evidenciando o caráter bilateral na OMC. / Otitis media (OM) is one of the leading causes of hearing loss in childhood. Due to its high prevalence and worldwide distribution, OM is still regarded as a public health issue. Nevertheless, few studies have assessed involvement of the contralateral ear (CLE) in patients with chronic otitis media (COM). To demonstrate the bilateral nature of COM, we designed three distinct studies, which focused on histopathology and anatomy, clinical findings and physiology (both previously published), and, finally, auditory function. Objective: To measure auditory function in the CLE in a sample of COM patients by means of air-conduction thresholds, bone-conduction thresholds, and the air-bone gap, and to compare CLE audiometry findings in patients with non-cholesteatomatous (NC-COM) or cholesteatomatous chronic otitis media (CCOM). Methods: This was a cross-sectional, contemporary and comparative study of 1000 patients with a diagnosis of COM. Clinical ear examination, video otoscopy, and pure-tone audiometry (PTA) were performed. Results: The overall prevalence rate of air-bone gap was approximately 40%, both in the total sample and after stratification by type of OM (393 [39.2%] patients overall, 279 [40.3%] in the NC-COM group, 113 [37.17%] in the CCOM group). Conclusions: As did clinical and histopathology findings in previous studies, audiological evaluation revealed a substantial prevalence of CLE involvement, providing evidence of the bilateral nature of COM.

Uma das condições mais comuns responsável pela perda auditiva durante a infância é a Otite Média (OM). A OM ainda é considerada “questão de saúde pública” devido à sua alta prevalência e distribuição mundial. Há poucos estudos na literatura que relatam as alterações na orelha contralateral (OCL) em pacientes com otite média crônica (OMC). Para enfatizar esses conceitos e analisar com mais profundidade a prevalência de bilateralidade na OMC, há vários anos iniciamos uma linha de pesquisa, focalizando três cenários diferentes: a histopatologia (ROSITO, COSTA, SCHARCHEN, 2007); o padrão clínico e otoscópico (COSTA et al., 2008) e a fisiologia (função auditiva) no presente estudo. Objetivo: Avaliar a função auditiva da OCL em pacientes com OMC através do gap aéreo-ósseo. Comparar os dados audiométricos da OCL levando em conta se o paciente apresenta Otite Média Crônica não Colesteatomatosa (OMCNC) ou Otite Média Crônica Colesteatomatosa (OMCC) na orelha principal (OP). Métodos: Estudo transversal, comparativo e contemporâneo, com 1000 pacientes com diagnóstico de OMC submetidos a exame otorrinolaringológico, videotoscopia e audiometria tonal liminar (ATL). Resultados: A prevalência de gap aéreo-ósseo foi de aproximadamente 40%, tanto na amostra total e na análise estratifica por tipo de OM (na amostra geral houve 392 (39,2%) pacientes, no grupo com OMCNC houve 279 (40,8%), e no grupo com OMCC foram 113 (37,17%). Conclusões: Assim como os achados de estudos clínicos e histopatológicos, a prevalência de alterações audiológicas na OCL foi elevada, evidenciando o caráter bilateral na OMC. / Otitis media (OM) is one of the leading causes of hearing loss in childhood. Due to its high prevalence and worldwide distribution, OM is still regarded as a public health issue. Nevertheless, few studies have assessed involvement of the contralateral ear (CLE) in patients with chronic otitis media (COM). To demonstrate the bilateral nature of COM, we designed three distinct studies, which focused on histopathology and anatomy, clinical findings and physiology (both previously published), and, finally, auditory function. Objective: To measure auditory function in the CLE in a sample of COM patients by means of air-conduction thresholds, bone-conduction thresholds, and the air-bone gap, and to compare CLE audiometry findings in patients with non-cholesteatomatous (NC-COM) or cholesteatomatous chronic otitis media (CCOM). Methods: This was a cross-sectional, contemporary and comparative study of 1000 patients with a diagnosis of COM. Clinical ear examination, video otoscopy, and pure-tone audiometry (PTA) were performed. Results: The overall prevalence rate of air-bone gap was approximately 40%, both in the total sample and after stratification by type of OM (393 [39.2%] patients overall, 279 [40.3%] in the NC-COM group, 113 [37.17%] in the CCOM group). Conclusions: As did clinical and histopathology findings in previous studies, audiological evaluation revealed a substantial prevalence of CLE involvement, providing evidence of the bilateral nature of COM.

Uma das condições mais comuns responsável pela perda auditiva durante a infância é a Otite Média (OM). A OM ainda é considerada “questão de saúde pública” devido à sua alta prevalência e distribuição mundial. Há poucos estudos na literatura que relatam as alterações na orelha contralateral (OCL) em pacientes com otite média crônica (OMC). Para enfatizar esses conceitos e analisar com mais profundidade a prevalência de bilateralidade na OMC, há vários anos iniciamos uma linha de pesquisa, focalizando três cenários diferentes: a histopatologia (ROSITO, COSTA, SCHARCHEN, 2007); o padrão clínico e otoscópico (COSTA et al., 2008) e a fisiologia (função auditiva) no presente estudo. Objetivo: Avaliar a função auditiva da OCL em pacientes com OMC através do gap aéreo-ósseo. Comparar os dados audiométricos da OCL levando em conta se o paciente apresenta Otite Média Crônica não Colesteatomatosa (OMCNC) ou Otite Média Crônica Colesteatomatosa (OMCC) na orelha principal (OP). Métodos: Estudo transversal, comparativo e contemporâneo, com 1000 pacientes com diagnóstico de OMC submetidos a exame otorrinolaringológico, videotoscopia e audiometria tonal liminar (ATL). Resultados: A prevalência de gap aéreo-ósseo foi de aproximadamente 40%, tanto na amostra total e na análise estratifica por tipo de OM (na amostra geral houve 392 (39,2%) pacientes, no grupo com OMCNC houve 279 (40,8%), e no grupo com OMCC foram 113 (37,17%). Conclusões: Assim como os achados de estudos clínicos e histopatológicos, a prevalência de alterações audiológicas na OCL foi elevada, evidenciando o caráter bilateral na OMC. / Otitis media (OM) is one of the leading causes of hearing loss in childhood. Due to its high prevalence and worldwide distribution, OM is still regarded as a public health issue. Nevertheless, few studies have assessed involvement of the contralateral ear (CLE) in patients with chronic otitis media (COM). To demonstrate the bilateral nature of COM, we designed three distinct studies, which focused on histopathology and anatomy, clinical findings and physiology (both previously published), and, finally, auditory function. Objective: To measure auditory function in the CLE in a sample of COM patients by means of air-conduction thresholds, bone-conduction thresholds, and the air-bone gap, and to compare CLE audiometry findings in patients with non-cholesteatomatous (NC-COM) or cholesteatomatous chronic otitis media (CCOM). Methods: This was a cross-sectional, contemporary and comparative study of 1000 patients with a diagnosis of COM. Clinical ear examination, video otoscopy, and pure-tone audiometry (PTA) were performed. Results: The overall prevalence rate of air-bone gap was approximately 40%, both in the total sample and after stratification by type of OM (393 [39.2%] patients overall, 279 [40.3%] in the NC-COM group, 113 [37.17%] in the CCOM group). Conclusions: As did clinical and histopathology findings in previous studies, audiological evaluation revealed a substantial prevalence of CLE involvement, providing evidence of the bilateral nature of COM.

Background: The consequences of hearing loss vary and can include both emotional and social impacts, such as social isolation and decreased self-confidence. Communication limitations resulting from hearing loss can also affect participation in social relationships, which can lead to social withdrawal. Previous research has shown that audiological rehabilitation can be an effective method to help individuals manage their hearing loss and increase their self-confidence. Studies have shown that women with hearing loss reported higher levels of stress and anxiety compared to men with hearing loss. Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate how perceived disability due to hearing impairment affected individuals socially and emotionally among men and women in the age group of 18-64 years. Furthermore, potential gender differences in this impact were examined, as well as the relationship between perceived benefits of audiological rehabilitation and the use of hearing aids. Method: Method: In this quantitative cross-sectional study, a questionnaire survey was conducted using the HHIE instrument, supplemented with demographic and background questions. The survey was distributed through HRF's associations, online forums, groups for individuals with hearing impairment, and informational pamphlets containing a QR code for the survey were distributed in the waiting areas of audiological clinics and the Audiological Clinic's Education Reception (AudU) in Örebro. Statistical software SPSS was employed for data analysis. Mann-Whitney U-test was utilized to investigate potential differences between men and women in their emotional and social experiences related to hearing impairment. To examine the correlation between perceived benefits of hearing aids, perceived benefits of rehabilitation, the social subscale, and the emotional subscale, Spearman's correlation was employed. Results: The results of the current study showed no significant difference between men and women in how they experience the impact of hearing impairment emotionally and socially. However, there was a significant positive correlation between perceived benefit of hearing aids, perceived benefit of rehabilitation, and the subscales in HHIE. These findings indicated a relationship between the perceived benefit of hearing aids and rehabilitation, leading to an improved emotional and social function among individuals with hearing impairment. Conclusions: The study found no significant difference between men and women regarding how hearing impairment affected them socially and emotionally. However, the study did find a significant positive correlation between perceived benefits of hearing aids, audiological rehabilitation, and subscales in the HHIE instrument. / Bakgrund: Konsekvenserna av hörselnedsättning varierar och kan inkludera både emotionella och sociala påverkningar, såsom social isolering och minskat självförtroende. Begränsningar i kommunikationen till följd av hörselnedsättning kan också påverka delaktigheten i sociala relationer, vilket kan leda till socialt tillbakadragande. Det finns studier som har visat att kvinnor med hörselnedsättning rapporterade högre nivåer av stress och ångest jämfört med män med hörselnedsättning. Tidigare forskning har visat att audiologisk rehabilitering kan vara en effektiv metod för att hjälpa personer att hantera sin hörselnedsättning och öka deras självförtroende. Syfte: Syftet med studien var att undersöka hur upplevt funktionshinder på grund av hörselnedsättning bland män och kvinnor i åldersgruppen 18-64 år påverkade dem socialt och emotionellt. Vidare undersöktes eventuella könsskillnader i denna påverkan samt sambandet mellan upplevd nytta av audiologisk rehabilitering och upplevd nytta av hörapparaterna. Metod: I denna kvantitativa tvärsnittsstudie utfördes en enkätstudie som använde mätinstrumentet HHIE, kompletterat med demografiska och bakgrundsfrågor. Enkäten publicerades i HRF:s föreningar, online-forum, grupper för personer med hörselnedsättning samt informationsblad med en QR-kod till enkäten delades ut till audiologiska kliniken och audiologiska klinikens utbildningsmottagnings (AudU) väntrum i Örebro. För analys av resultaten användes statistikprogrammet SPSS. Mann-Whitney U-test användes för att undersöka eventuella skillnader mellan män och kvinnor i deras emotionella och sociala upplevelser av hörselnedsättning. För att undersöka om det fanns samband mellan upplevd nytta av hörapparaterna, upplevd nytta av rehabilitering, sociala delskalan och emotionella delskalan användes Spearmans korrelation. Resultat: Resultaten av den aktuella studien visade ingen signifikant skillnad mellan män och kvinnor i hur de upplever påverkan av hörselnedsättning emotionellt och socialt. Däremot fanns det en signifikant positiv korrelation mellan upplevd nytta avhörapparat/er, upplevd nytta av rehabilitering och delskalorna i HHIE. Dessa resultat indikerade att det fanns ett samband mellan upplevd nytta av hörapparat/er och rehabilitering, vilket ledde till en förbättrad emotionell och social funktion hos personer med hörselnedsättning. Slutsatser: Studien fann ingen signifikant skillnad mellan män och kvinnor gällande hur hörselnedsättningen påverkade dem socialt och emotionellt. Däremot fann studien att det fanns en signifikant positiv korrelation mellan upplevd nytta avhörapparat/er, audiologisk rehabilitering och delskalor i mätinstrumentet HHIE.

A perda auditiva é uma característica importante da Síndrome de Stickler. Na literatura, poucos trabalhos têm caracterizado essa perda, e não há estudos do efeito de outros fatores de risco sobre a audição no Stickler. Realizou-se este trabalho com a finalidade de verificar o fenótipo clínico e audiológico de um grupo de 26 crianças, com idade média de cinco anos e sete meses, afetadas pela SS, no Hospital de Reabilitação de Anomalias Craniofaciais. Após análise dos dados dos exames clínico e audiológico, concluiu-se que 80,76% (IC 95%, 60, 65 – 93, 44) das crianças apresentaram perda auditiva, sendo 34,61% (IC 95%, 17, 21 – 55, 66), de perda sensorioneural associada à SS, tipicamente para altas freqüências; 11,53% (IC 95%, 2, 44 – 30, 15) de perda mista, e 34,61% (IC 95%, 17, 21 – 55, 66) de perda auditiva condutiva, que é comum nas crianças com SS, devido à presença da fissura de palato e outras anomalias craniofaciais, levando a uma disfunção da orelha média com o comprometimento da sensibilidade auditiva. O grau de perda auditiva variou de leve a grave. A análise estatística pelo teste de Fisher (p<0,05) não revelou qualquer efeito significativo da exposição das crianças a outros fatores de risco de perda auditiva sobre a perda sensorioneural, mostrando ser este tipo de perda auditiva característica da SS. Na impossibilidade da realização do exame genético molecular, o fenótipo clínico, associado à avaliação audiológica, pode sugerir o diagnóstico do tipo da SS. / Hearing loss is an important characteristic of the Stickler’s Syndrome. In literature, few studies have defined the characterization of this loss, and there are no studies about the effect of other risk factors of hearing in Sticker. This present work has been made with the purpose of verifying the clinical and audiological phenotype of a group of 26 children with average age of 5 years and 7 months, affected by SS, at the Hospital de Reabilitação de Anomalias Craniofaciais. After analyzing the data of the clinical and audiological exams, we concluded that 80.76% (IC 95%, 60,65 – 93,44) of the children have presented hearing loss, being 34.61% (IC 95%, 17,21 – 55,66) of sensorial neural loss, associated with SS, typically for high frequencies; 11.53% (IC 95%, 2,44 – 30,15) of mixed loss; and 34.61% (IC 95%, 17,21 – 55,66) of conductive hearing loss, which is common in children with SS, due to the presence of cleft palate and other craniofacial anomalies, leading to a disfunction of the mid ear, with harming of hearing sensibility. The degree of hearing loss has varied from mild to severe. The statistical analysis through Fisher’s test (p<0.05) didn’t reveal any significant effect of the exposition of children to other risk factors of hearing loss to the sensorial neural loss of SS. Due to the impossibility of the realization of the molecular genetic exam, the clinical phenotype, associated with the audiological evaluation, may suggest the diagnosis of the kind of SS.

A perda auditiva é uma característica importante da Síndrome de Stickler. Na literatura, poucos trabalhos têm caracterizado essa perda, e não há estudos do efeito de outros fatores de risco sobre a audição no Stickler. Realizou-se este trabalho com a finalidade de verificar o fenótipo clínico e audiológico de um grupo de 26 crianças, com idade média de cinco anos e sete meses, afetadas pela SS, no Hospital de Reabilitação de Anomalias Craniofaciais. Após análise dos dados dos exames clínico e audiológico, concluiu-se que 80,76% (IC 95%, 60, 65 – 93, 44) das crianças apresentaram perda auditiva, sendo 34,61% (IC 95%, 17, 21 – 55, 66), de perda sensorioneural associada à SS, tipicamente para altas freqüências; 11,53% (IC 95%, 2, 44 – 30, 15) de perda mista, e 34,61% (IC 95%, 17, 21 – 55, 66) de perda auditiva condutiva, que é comum nas crianças com SS, devido à presença da fissura de palato e outras anomalias craniofaciais, levando a uma disfunção da orelha média com o comprometimento da sensibilidade auditiva. O grau de perda auditiva variou de leve a grave. A análise estatística pelo teste de Fisher (p<0,05) não revelou qualquer efeito significativo da exposição das crianças a outros fatores de risco de perda auditiva sobre a perda sensorioneural, mostrando ser este tipo de perda auditiva característica da SS. Na impossibilidade da realização do exame genético molecular, o fenótipo clínico, associado à avaliação audiológica, pode sugerir o diagnóstico do tipo da SS. / Hearing loss is an important characteristic of the Stickler’s Syndrome. In literature, few studies have defined the characterization of this loss, and there are no studies about the effect of other risk factors of hearing in Sticker. This present work has been made with the purpose of verifying the clinical and audiological phenotype of a group of 26 children with average age of 5 years and 7 months, affected by SS, at the Hospital de Reabilitação de Anomalias Craniofaciais. After analyzing the data of the clinical and audiological exams, we concluded that 80.76% (IC 95%, 60,65 – 93,44) of the children have presented hearing loss, being 34.61% (IC 95%, 17,21 – 55,66) of sensorial neural loss, associated with SS, typically for high frequencies; 11.53% (IC 95%, 2,44 – 30,15) of mixed loss; and 34.61% (IC 95%, 17,21 – 55,66) of conductive hearing loss, which is common in children with SS, due to the presence of cleft palate and other craniofacial anomalies, leading to a disfunction of the mid ear, with harming of hearing sensibility. The degree of hearing loss has varied from mild to severe. The statistical analysis through Fisher’s test (p<0.05) didn’t reveal any significant effect of the exposition of children to other risk factors of hearing loss to the sensorial neural loss of SS. Due to the impossibility of the realization of the molecular genetic exam, the clinical phenotype, associated with the audiological evaluation, may suggest the diagnosis of the kind of SS.