Auditory Risk to Unprotected Bystanders Exposed to Firearm Noise

2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (02) ◽  
pp. 093-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory A. Flamme ◽  
Michael Stewart ◽  
Deanna Meinke ◽  
James Lankford ◽  
Per Rasmussen
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Poor Agreement ◽  
Acoustic Characteristics ◽  
Sound Levels ◽  
Data Collection And Analysis ◽  
Hearing Health ◽  
Damage Risk

Background: What is the risk of hearing loss for someone standing next to a shooter? Friends, spouses, children, and other shooters are often present during hunting and recreational shooting activities, and these bystanders seem likely to underestimate the hazard posed by noise from someone else's firearm. Hunters use hearing protection inconsistently, and there is little reason to expect higher use rates among bystanders. Acoustic characteristics and estimates of auditory risk from gunfire noise next to the shooter were assessed in this study. Research Design: This was a descriptive study of auditory risk at the position of a bystander near a recreational firearm shooter. Data Collection and Analysis: Recordings of impulses from 15 recreational firearms were obtained 1 m to the left of the shooter outdoors away from reflective surfaces. Recordings were made using a pressure-calibrated 1/4 inch measurement microphone and digitally sampled at 195 kHz (24 bit depth). The acoustic characteristics of these impulses were examined, and auditory risk estimates were obtained using three contemporary damage-risk criteria (DRCs) for unprotected listeners. Results: Instantaneous peak levels at the bystander location ranged between 149 and 167 dB SPL, and 8 hr equivalent continuous levels (LeqA8) ranged between 64 and 83 dB SPL. Poor agreement was obtained across the three DRCs, and the DRC that was most conservative varied with the firearm. The most conservative DRC for each firearm permitted no unprotected exposures to most rifle impulses and fewer than 10 exposures to impulses from most shotguns and the single handgun included in this study. More unprotected exposures were permitted for the guns with smaller cartridges and longer barrel length. Conclusions: None of the recreational firearms included in this study produced sound levels that would be considered safe for all unprotected listeners. The DRCs revealed that only a few of the small-caliber rifles and the smaller-gauge shotguns permitted more than a few shots for the average unprotected listener. This finding is important for professionals involved in hearing health care and the shooting sports because laypersons are likely to consider the bystander location to be inherently less risky because it is farther from the gun than the shooter.

scholarly journals A survey exploring awareness and experience of tinnitus in young adults

2017 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vedika Bagwandin ◽  
Lavanithum Joseph
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Electronic Survey ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Potential Risks ◽  
Hearing Health

Background: Hearing loss among young adults is on the increase largely because of greater exposure to recreational noise. One of the effects of a sensorineural hearing loss is tinnitus. Despite efforts to raise awareness of hearing loss and tinnitus, young adults continue to expose themselves to the potential risks. The reasons for this are unclear; neither is the extent to which tinnitus is experienced in this population.Objectives: The study aimed to describe the awareness and experience of tinnitus among young adults, with regard to its existence, causes, effects and management.Methods: A descriptive study design was employed using an electronic survey that targeted students within a selected school at a university in KwaZulu-Natal. There were 75 participants between 18 years and 30 years. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. To raise awareness about tinnitus, on completion of the questionnaire, all participants were given access to an information document about tinnitus, its causes and management.Results: The majority of participants (69.86%) were not aware of the existence of tinnitus. Thus, most of the participants did not know about the causes or effects of tinnitus. Tinnitus was experienced by 13.51% of participants themselves and 12.16% knew someone who suffered from it.Conclusions: The general lack of awareness of what tinnitus was, its causes and effects, has implications for audiologists who are involved in hearing health care across the age span. Hearing health promotion programmes targeted at young adults should include information on hearing loss as well as tinnitus and its management.

scholarly journals Promoting healthy hearing over the lifespan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
James W. Hall III
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Test Battery ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Comorbid Conditions ◽  
Specific Test ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Central Auditory Function ◽  
Hearing Health ◽  
Age Related Hearing Loss

Background and Aim: Comorbid conditions and unhealthy lifestyles are risk factors for auditory dysfunction, including age-related hearing loss. With a focus on adults, this paper describes a new approach to hearing health care that aims to prevent or mitigate hearing loss and related disorders, like tinnitus. Accurate diagnosis and effective management of hearing loss is best achieved with a patient-specific test battery that includes sensitive measures of peripheral and central auditory function. Background and Aim: Comorbid conditions and unhealthy lifestyles are risk factors for auditory dysfunction, including age-related hearing loss. With a focus on adults, this paper describes a new approach to hearing health care that aims to prevent or mitigate hearing loss and related disorders, like tinnitus. Accurate diagnosis and effective management of hearing loss is best achieved with a patient-specific test battery that includes sensitive measures of peripheral and central auditory function. Conclusion: The traditional model for hearing health care service delivery relies on a rather outdated and simplistic protocol for evaluating and describing hearing loss, and a technologyfocused approach for management. This paper offers an evidence-based rationale for expanding the test battery for diagnosing hearing loss, and a multidisciplinary intervention approach.   Keywords: Comorbid conditions; smoking; diet; value-added tests

scholarly journals Patient Uptake, Experience, and Satisfaction Using Web-Based and Face-to-Face Hearing Health Services: Process Evaluation Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Husmita Ratanjee-Vanmali ◽  
De Wet Swanepoel ◽  
Ariane Laplante-Lévesque
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Process Evaluation ◽  
Screening Test ◽  
Instant Messaging ◽  
Hearing Screening ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Hearing Health

BACKGROUND Globally, access to hearing health care is a growing concern with 900 million people estimated to suffer from disabling hearing loss by 2050. Hearing loss is one of the most common chronic health conditions, yet access to hearing health care is limited. Incorporating Web-based (voice calling, messaging, or emailing) service delivery into current treatment pathways could improve access and allow for better scalability of services. Current electronic health studies in audiology have focused on technical feasibility, sensitivity, and specificity of diagnostic hearing testing and not on patient satisfaction, experiences, and sustainable models along the entire patient journey. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate a hybrid (Web-based and face-to-face) hearing health service in terms of uptake, experience, and satisfaction in adult patients with hearing loss. METHODS A nonprofit hearing research clinic using online and face-to-face services was implemented in Durban, South Africa, using online recruitment from the clinic’s Facebook page and Google AdWords, which directed persons to an online Web-based hearing screening test. Web-based and face-to-face care pathways included assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation. To evaluate the service, an online survey comprising (1) a validated satisfaction measurement tool (Short Assessment of Patient Satisfaction), (2) a process evaluation of all the 5 steps completed, and (3) personal preferences of communication methods used vs methods preferred was conducted, which was sent to 46 patients who used clinic services. RESULTS Of the patients invited, 67% (31/46) completed the survey with mean age 66 years, (SD 16). Almost all patients, 92% (30/31) reported that the online screening test assisted them in seeking hearing health care. Approximately 60% (18/31) of the patients accessed the online hearing screening test from an Android device. Patients stayed in contact with the audiologist mostly through WhatsApp instant messaging (27/31, 87%), and most patients (25/31, 81%) preferred to use this method of communication. The patients continuing with hearing health care were significantly older and had significantly poorer speech recognition abilities compared with the patients who discontinued seeking hearing health care. A statistically significant positive result (<i>P</i>=.007) was found between age and the number of appointments per patient. Around 61% (19/31) of patients previously completed diagnostic testing at other practices, with 95% (18/19) rating the services at the hybrid clinic as better. The net promoter score was 87, indicating that patients were highly likely to recommend the hybrid clinic to friends and family. CONCLUSIONS This study applied Web-based and face-to-face components into a hybrid clinic and measured an overall positive experience with high patient satisfaction through a process evaluation. The findings support the potential of a hybrid clinic with synchronous and asynchronous modes of communication to be a scalable hearing health care model, addressing the needs of adults with hearing loss globally.

Understanding Hearing Loss and Barriers to Hearing Health Care Among Korean American Older Adults: A Focus Group Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (11) ◽  
pp. 1344-1367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet S. Choi ◽  
Kyoo S. Shim ◽  
Kunhwa Kim ◽  
Carrie L. Nieman ◽  
Sara K. Mamo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Korean American ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Hearing Health ◽  
Older Korean Americans

Hearing loss is associated with an accelerated decline in social, cognitive, and physical functioning among older adults. However, little is known about its impact and barriers to hearing health care in any ethnic minorities. The aim of this study was to explore experiences related to hearing loss and barriers to hearing health care among older Korean Americans (KAs). We conducted four focus groups with 19 older KAs with hearing loss and four communication partners. Qualitative content analysis revealed four themes: (a) impact of hearing loss, (b) self-perception of hearing loss, (c) coping strategies for hearing loss, and (d) barriers to hearing health care (price, language, lack of collaborative communications, perceptions about hearing aids, and lack of knowledge). Older KAs were significantly impacted by hearing loss but tended not to seek care due to multiple factors. Culturally tailored hearing interventions are urgently needed to promote hearing health in the KA community.

Hearing Health Care Delivery Outside the Booth

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Kathy Gates ◽  
Quintin A. Hecht ◽  
Marjorie A. M. Grantham ◽  
Andrew J. Fallon ◽  
Malisha Martukovich
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Health Care Delivery ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Review Article ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Technical Specifications ◽  
Hearing Health

Purpose The purpose of this review article is to discuss how boothless audiometry may help address changes in hearing health care services and provide progressive tools to expand beyond traditional audiology clinic visits. The primary drivers for these changes include the COVID-19 pandemic, our aging population, comorbid effects of unidentified hearing loss, and the critical need for effective communication between patients and providers. This review article highlights key features and technical specifications of boothless audiometry, provides an overview of Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–approved boothless audiometry products, and describes how to leverage these products to increase access to hearing health services across the continuum of health care. Method Boothless audiometry literature was reviewed using PubMed and audiometry technology websites. FDA-approved boothless audiometry products were reviewed, and audiological features were categorized. Civilian and Department of Defense subject matter experts were consulted. Conclusions Boothless audiometry technology introduces opportunities for early audiometric assessment outside of the audiology clinic, in settings where traditional testing has been less possible, or even impossible, such as military environments, clinic waiting areas, schools, and nursing homes. This technology allows health care providers to identify individuals with significant hearing loss early and seek comprehensive services to prevent and treat hearing loss. By expanding the current hearing health care delivery model via boothless audiometry technology, the following benefits may be achieved, which can result in better outcomes overall: increased access to care, early identification and treatment of hearing loss, and reduced impact from the comorbid effects of hearing impairment.

scholarly journals The Hearing Health Care Journey: Putting Beans in Your Cups

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (01) ◽  
pp. 068-078
Author(s):  
Michael A. Harvey
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Customer Journey ◽  
Hearing Instruments ◽  
Hearing Health ◽  
Specific Individual

AbstractOne of the areas MarkeTrak has explored is the customer journey through hearing health care. The survey has asked question regarding how long they had a hearing loss before they took some type of action, where did they start their journey, why did they obtain hearing instruments or not, and what the hearing instruments cost. To put that journey in perspective, this article looks at the journey of one specific individual and explores their attitudes about their hearing loss through the eyes of a psychologist.

scholarly journals Patient Uptake, Experience, and Satisfaction Using Web-Based and Face-to-Face Hearing Health Services: Process Evaluation Study

10.2196/15875 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. e15875 ◽  
Author(s):  
Husmita Ratanjee-Vanmali ◽  
De Wet Swanepoel ◽  
Ariane Laplante-Lévesque
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Process Evaluation ◽  
Screening Test ◽  
Instant Messaging ◽  
Hearing Screening ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Hearing Health

Background Globally, access to hearing health care is a growing concern with 900 million people estimated to suffer from disabling hearing loss by 2050. Hearing loss is one of the most common chronic health conditions, yet access to hearing health care is limited. Incorporating Web-based (voice calling, messaging, or emailing) service delivery into current treatment pathways could improve access and allow for better scalability of services. Current electronic health studies in audiology have focused on technical feasibility, sensitivity, and specificity of diagnostic hearing testing and not on patient satisfaction, experiences, and sustainable models along the entire patient journey. Objective This study aimed to investigate a hybrid (Web-based and face-to-face) hearing health service in terms of uptake, experience, and satisfaction in adult patients with hearing loss. Methods A nonprofit hearing research clinic using online and face-to-face services was implemented in Durban, South Africa, using online recruitment from the clinic’s Facebook page and Google AdWords, which directed persons to an online Web-based hearing screening test. Web-based and face-to-face care pathways included assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation. To evaluate the service, an online survey comprising (1) a validated satisfaction measurement tool (Short Assessment of Patient Satisfaction), (2) a process evaluation of all the 5 steps completed, and (3) personal preferences of communication methods used vs methods preferred was conducted, which was sent to 46 patients who used clinic services. Results Of the patients invited, 67% (31/46) completed the survey with mean age 66 years, (SD 16). Almost all patients, 92% (30/31) reported that the online screening test assisted them in seeking hearing health care. Approximately 60% (18/31) of the patients accessed the online hearing screening test from an Android device. Patients stayed in contact with the audiologist mostly through WhatsApp instant messaging (27/31, 87%), and most patients (25/31, 81%) preferred to use this method of communication. The patients continuing with hearing health care were significantly older and had significantly poorer speech recognition abilities compared with the patients who discontinued seeking hearing health care. A statistically significant positive result (P=.007) was found between age and the number of appointments per patient. Around 61% (19/31) of patients previously completed diagnostic testing at other practices, with 95% (18/19) rating the services at the hybrid clinic as better. The net promoter score was 87, indicating that patients were highly likely to recommend the hybrid clinic to friends and family. Conclusions This study applied Web-based and face-to-face components into a hybrid clinic and measured an overall positive experience with high patient satisfaction through a process evaluation. The findings support the potential of a hybrid clinic with synchronous and asynchronous modes of communication to be a scalable hearing health care model, addressing the needs of adults with hearing loss globally.

scholarly journals Media Use by Older Adults With Hearing Loss: An Exploratory Survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 218-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinaya Manchaiah ◽  
Monica L. Bellon-Harn ◽  
Rebecca J. Kelly-Campbell ◽  
Eldré W. Beukes ◽  
Abram Bailey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Electronic Media ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Media Usage ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Hearing Health

Objectives There has been a substantial increase in people with health conditions seeking health-related information online. The aim of this study was to examine the media usage by older adults with hearing loss. Method The study used a cross-sectional survey design. A total of 556 older adults with hearing loss (Hearing Tracker website users) completed the survey that was focused on (a) demographic information, (b) general electronic media usage, (c) sources of hearing health information, and (d) social media use for hearing health information. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Results When seeking hearing health care information, the majority of the participants turned to the Internet (54%) followed by health professionals (34%) as the first response to their symptoms. Both sources were also rated as the easiest means of obtaining hearing health information. The information from health care providers was rated as more reliable and important for decision making than that from the Internet. Facebook and YouTube were the most frequently used social media platforms with over 40% of the respondents using them “most of the time” or “sometimes.” All the social media platforms were rated less favorably than other sources for ease of finding information, reliability, and importance in decision making. Conclusion Older adults with hearing loss use various forms of electronic media for seeking hearing health information. They place the most trust on the information obtained from hearing health care professionals. These professionals need to be aware of the quality of information available on the Internet and social media sources in order to direct patients to credible sources. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.12170397

scholarly journals Percepção do surdo com diabetes mellitus sobre a assistência em saúde

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 41-44
Author(s):  
Keline Targino Vieira ◽  
Márcia Barroso Camilo De Ataide ◽  
Antonia Tayana da Franca Xavier ◽  
Francisco Gilberto Fernandes Pereira
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Chronic Disease ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Deaf People ◽  
Communication Quality

Resumo: Objetivou-se analisar a assistência à saúde na percepção de pessoas surdas com diabetes mellitus (DM). Trata-se de estudo descritivo comabordagem qualitativa. Participaram quatro pessoas com surdez e DM. A coleta das informações ocorreu mediante entrevista semi-estruturada.Constatou-se que existe barreira na interação entre surdos e profissionais da saúde, devido à falta de qualidade da comunicação, que inviabiliza umatendimento humanizado e de qualidade, tendo como consequência um manejo desajustado em DM.Descritores: Diabetes mellitus; Doença crônica; Surdez; Cuidado de Enfermagem.Deaf awareness of diabetes mellitus on assistance in healthAbstractAbstract: This study aimed to analyze health care in the perception of deaf people with diabetes mellitus (DM). This is a descriptive study with qualitativeapproach. Participated in four people with deafness and diabetes mellitus. Data collection occurred by means of a semi-structured interview.It was found that there is a barrier in the interaction between deaf and health professionals, due to lack of communication quality, which prevents ahumanized and quality, resulting in an inadequate management of DM.Descriptors: Diabetes mellitus; Chronic disease; Deafness; Nursing care.Atención a la salud: la percepción de las personas sordas con diabetes mellitusResumen: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar la atención sanitaria en la percepción de las personas sordas con diabetes mellitus (DM). Este es unestudio descriptivo con enfoque cualitativo. Participó en cuatro personas con sordera y diabetes mellitus. Los datos fueron recolectados por entrevistasemi-estructurada. Se encontró que existe una barrera en la interacción entre los profesionales la salud y sordos, debido a la falta de calidad de lacomunicación, lo que impide una humanizado y calidad, lo que resulta en un manejo inadecuado de DM.Descriptores: Diabetes mellitus; Enfermedad crónica; Sordera; Atención de enfermería.

Opioid-Induced Hearing Loss and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: Clinical Considerations for Audiologists and Recommendations for Future Research

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 701-709
Author(s):  
Khary K. Rigg ◽  
Malika S. Rigg
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Abstinence Syndrome ◽  
Opioid Misuse ◽  
Populations At Risk ◽  
Hearing Health

Purpose Over the last two decades, the number of Americans misusing opioids has reached epidemic levels. With such drastic increases in opioid misuse, audiologists are more likely to have patients with opioid-induced hearing loss or neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) than in previous years. More attention is needed on how these increases might influence clinical practice and such a discussion could be useful for audiologists. The goal of this article, therefore, is to summarize what is currently known regarding the relationship between opioid misuse and audiology to help guide hearing health care providers (with a particular focus on opioid-induced hearing loss and NAS). This article (a) summarizes the overlap in opioid misuse and hearing loss populations, (b) describes the evidence linking opioid misuse to hearing loss, (c) discusses clinical implications that opioid-induced hearing loss and NAS have for practicing audiologists, and (d) recommends directions for future audiological research on opioid-induced hearing loss and NAS. Conclusions There is considerable overlap between populations at-risk for hearing loss and opioid misuse. Additionally, compelling evidence exists linking opioid misuse to hearing loss, but the specific causal mechanisms remain unclear, indicating a need for additional research. This article attempts to fill a gap in the audiological literature and has the potential to serve as a guide for hearing health care providers to make more informed clinical decisions regarding patients with opioid-induced hearing loss and NAS. Clinicians may wish to consider the concerns raised in this article before intervening with such concerns, especially in the absence of best practice protocols.

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