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Reconnecting to others: grounded theory of social functioning following age-related hearing loss

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2021

Elizabeth Fowler ,
Jayne V. Woodside ,
Frank Kee ,
David Loughrey ,
Brian Lawlor  and
Joanna McHugh Power Open the ORCID record for Joanna McHugh Power [Opens in a new window]
Elizabeth Fowler
Affiliation:
Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
Jayne V. Woodside
Affiliation:
Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
Frank Kee
Affiliation:
Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
David Loughrey
Affiliation:
Global Brain Health Institute & School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Brian Lawlor
Affiliation:
Global Brain Health Institute & School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Joanna McHugh Power*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Republic of Ireland
*
*Corresponding author. Email: Joanna.McHughPower@mu.ie
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Abstract

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is common and a known risk factor for social disengagement in later life. This study explored social functioning following a diagnosis of ARHL. Using a constructivist grounded theory approach we developed an interview schedule to advance a grounded theory from data collected from six older adults who used either hearing aids or cochlear implants. Interview questions concerned social functioning as well as focusing on their perspective of the impact of ARHL on cognitive functioning. We describe a grounded theory conceived as ‘Reconnecting to Others’. This theory posits that participants faced social challenges in relation to their ARHL, and resolved these challenges partly through the use of hearing aids and cochlear implantation. The theory also emphasises the importance of help from other hearing aid users for new users, and corroborates prior findings about strategies older adults with ARHL use to cope with their hearing impairment in various social situations. Once hearing aids and cochlear implants are used and adapted to with the help of peers, participants completed their journey by helping others who had received diagnoses of ARHL. Additionally, participants spoke of the pleasure of hearing again. Interestingly, no participant felt that their ARHL had impacted their cognitive functioning. Our theory provides a basis for explaining existing quantitative findings as well as creating new hypotheses for future testing.

Keywords

age-related hearing losspresbycusissocial functioningconstructivist grounded theoryageinghearing aidcochlear implant
Type
Article
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 42 , Issue 9 , September 2022 , pp. 2008 - 2025
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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