Note: Opinions and ideas expressed are those solely of the study authors and not necessarily of the Ida Institute.

Objective

In our previous studies, we examined the patient journey of adults with gradual-onset acquired hearing impairment. In the current study, we explore the journey of individuals with sudden-onset acquired hearing impairment to determine how they differed. 

StudyDesign

Data was collected from 16 audiologists using the Ida Institute template and from 4 adults with sudden-onset acquired hearing impairment through semi-structured interviews.  

The data was analyzed using thematic analysis and presented using a process mapping model.

Results

A patient journey template for sudden-onset acquired hearing impairment was developed based on the professionals' and patients' perspectives. The main differences were in the self-evaluation stage where the professionals did not recognize various stages. 

The absence of a pre-awareness stage was the main difference in the sudden-onset patient journey in comparison to the journey of adults with gradual-onset acquired hearing impairment.

Conclusions

These templates could be useful counseling tools for ear and hearing healthcare specialists.

However, the template should be used as a baseline. It is important to take in-depth case history to understand the unique experience each patient would go through and the psychosocial impact of hearing impairment.

RelatedIdaTools

This study is related to the Patient Journey Tool.  

Publishing

This paper has been accepted for publication: In press, The Journal of Laryngology & Otology.