Abstract
Interventional audiology, specifically community-based outreach, can connect people
with the hearing health care system. Community-based participatory research methods
were applied in two phases of research to: (1) investigate the needs of families affected
by hearing loss in a rural Arizona community on the U.S.–Mexico border; and (2) evaluate
an outreach program on hearing health. The needs assessment included interviews with
persons with hearing loss and focus groups with family members and the greater community.
The needs assessment revealed that despite perceived severity of hearing loss, help-seeking
for audiologic care was limited due to barriers, stigma, and low self-efficacy. Results
informed development of a community-based pilot study conducted as part of an academic-community
partnership between audiology, public health, and community health workers of a federally
qualified health center. An outreach program, Oyendo Bien (hearing wellness), a 5-week, Spanish-language health education program for older
adults (n = 21) incorporated communication strategies and behavioral change techniques. Postprogram
focus groups revealed increased self-efficacy and decreased stigma. After 1 year,
7 of 9 participants with hearing loss contacted for follow-up had sought some form
of hearing-related health care. Future research should further investigate interventional
audiology approaches to address health disparities.
Keywords
Interventional audiology - community health workers - Hispanic/Latino - community-based
participatory research - Health Belief Model
