Laryngorhinootologie 2024; 103(S 02): S263-S264
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1784875
Abstracts │ DGHNOKHC
Otology/Neurootology/Audiology: Cochlear implant

Nonverbal synchrony in hearing-impaired persons and their significant others

Authors

  • Kirsten Oberländer

    1   Katholisches Klinikum Bochum, Klinik für Hals-, Nasen-, Ohrenheilkunde, CI-Zentrum Ruhrgebiet, Bochum

  • Fabian Ramseyer

    2   Universität Bern, Institut für Psychologie, Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie, Bern

  • Martin Brüne

    3   Ruhr-Universität Bochum, LWL Universitätsklinik Bochum, Klinik für Psychiatrie, Psychotherapie, Psychosomatik und Präventivmedizin, Bochum

  • Christiane Völter

    1   Katholisches Klinikum Bochum, Klinik für Hals-, Nasen-, Ohrenheilkunde, CI-Zentrum Ruhrgebiet, Bochum
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Introduction The involvement of significant others (SO) plays an important role in auditory rehabilitation. Thereby, a good quality of relationship between the hearing-impaired person (PHI) and the SO is crucial. In psychotherapy, nonverbal synchrony measures the quality of relationship between patient and therapist and is used to predict outcome. So far, the focus in studying hearing-impaired is on verbal communication.

Method In 82 dyads consisting of a PHI (Ø=61 years, SD=12.1) and a SO (Ø=54.5 years, SD=14.7), nonverbal synchrony was analysed by Motion Energy Analysis (MEA). Furthermore, hearing-related quality of life (Nijmegen Questionnaire), burden on SO (SOS-Hear), communication strategies (CPHI), coping mechanisms (Dyadic Coping Inventory), psychopathology (SCL-K-9, GAD-7) and closeness in the relationship (IOS) were assessed by questionnaires.

Results Nonverbal synchrony significantly differed from pseudosynchrony (d=0.49; p<0.001). A negative correlation was found between nonverbal synchrony and closeness in the relationship perceived by PHI (r=-0.396; p<0.05) and by SO (r=-0.359, p<0.001). However, there was no correlation between nonverbal synchrony and the questionnaires, duration and severity of hearing impairment, gender, age or type of dyad.

Conclusion Nonverbal synchrony might be an objective marker to assess the quality of a relationship in hearing-impaired and a basis for therapeutic interventions in auditory rehabilitation.



Publication History

Article published online:
19 April 2024

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