The Relationship Between Hearing Status and Self-Efficacy in Adults

Abstract

Hearing loss is a disability that impedes people’s ability to access auditory information and communicate through listening and spoken language. Self-efficacy describes one’s confidence in their actions and behaviors. The study examined the relationship between hearing status of adults with and without hearing loss and self-efficacy. The participants answered a series of assessment questions: A hearing demographic information questionnaire, a self-efficacy scale assessment, and a measure of subjective sound quality in various situations. Findings revealed that poorer performance in various hearing situations was correlated with lower score of self-efficacy. Alternatively, the better participants can function and effortlessly hear in various hearing settings, the higher their self-efficacy. Self-efficacy is neither correlated with severity of hearing nor age. The study also found that the later the participant’s onset of hearing loss, the more likely they will have difficulty performing in hearing situations. Since the relationship between the degree of hearing loss and self-efficacy is insignificant, but the hearing performance is relevant to self-efficacy, better performance is reflected via appropriate hearing technology through rehabilitation. The study supports the notion that by undergoing hearing rehabilitation when necessary, regardless of the severity of the hearing loss, one will ideally be able to perform better in hearing situations, which will ultimately be a strong predictor of a higher sense of self-efficacy.