PP102 - Get on Board with SHIP: Support for Hearing Impaired Partners

Abstract:
Although the emotional impact of hearing loss often is observed in the clinical interaction, audiologists lack the time and training to address needs of patients beyond offering communication strategies. A support group provides couples the opportunity to discuss shared experiences with the aid of professional counselors.  The Support for Hearing Impaired Partners (SHIP) group was developed to address common themes and associated feelings encountered when one or both communication partners have hearing loss.  Group structure and outcomes are discussed to spread awareness about the role of a support group in the management plan for couples impacted by hearing impairment.

Summary

It is well documented that hearing loss leads to feelings such as frustration, anger, and resentment for people with hearing loss as well as their family and friends.^1,2 In an effort to better support patients with hearing loss and their communication partners, a family-centered approach can be beneficial.³  Despite the need to include communication partners in the management plan, this can be difficult to implement in the clinical setting.  The IDA institute offers “tools” for involving communication partners⁴, but many audiologists lack sufficient time or training to use them in routine appointments and face reimbursement challenges. 

Collaboration with other disciplines such as counseling is an ideal option as therapists are better equipped to support emotional reactions associated with hearing loss.  Individual couples therapy may not satisfy the needs of all patients who would benefit from recognition that others have shared experiences. A group approach offers couples an opportunity to discuss their communication difficulties in a “safe” space with the guidance and support of trained professionals.  Research has shown a group approach is highly effective when utilizing a combination of psychosocial exercises, psychoeducation, communication skills training, and emotional support^5,6  Group activities such as roleplays also are particularly impactful in outcome research.⁷

The Speech and Hearing Center and Nicholas A. Vacc Counseling & Consulting Clinic at UNC Greensboro collaborated to offer a support group for couples impacted by hearing loss.  The Support for Hearing Impaired Partners (SHIP) group met biweekly for 90 minutes.  Couples were recruited by an audiologist who also served as a consultant for the group.  Sessions were planned and led by a doctoral student and two master’s students in the Counseling & Counselor Education program at UNCG.  Each 90 minute session was composed of three parts. The first 30 minutes was allotted for initial questions, reflection, check-ins, and processing.  The second 30 minutes of each session were allotted for breakout groups (one for persons affected by hearing loss and the other for their significant others), which were conducted in separate clinical rooms to give each member of a couple an opportunity to process their emotions in a group of individuals with similar experiences. Finally, the last 30 minutes was designated for guided communication practice around an issue with facilitation by clinicians. 

Observations regarding group dynamics and survey data will be presented to document outcomes.  While it is acknowledged that multidisciplinary cooperation and effort is required to organize and maintain a group such as SHIP, potential rewards are multifaceted. While couples benefit from improved communication in their relationships, audiologists benefit from improved patient satisfaction that may lead to fewer in-office appointments. Groups also are an efficient means of offering intervention by maximizing the number of participants who can participate at one time.  Future development should focus on ways to expand the reach of SHIP to the extent that it becomes more widely available and an essential component of a comprehensive aural rehabilitation plan

¹Scarinci et al (2008)
²Piercy & Piercy (2002)
³ASHA
⁴Ida Institute
⁵Yorgason et al (2010)
⁶Preminger & Yoo (2010)
7Worrall et al (2018)

Learning Objectives:

• describe benefits of an interdisciplinary collaboration between audiology and counseling when providing a support group for couples who are impacted by hearing loss.