MEDI 9331 Scholarly Activities Clinical Years
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-2026
Abstract
Approximately 2% of DHH people in need of mental health services actually receive these services. Among pediatric hearing loss populations, co-occurring cognitive and physical impairments are risk factors for poor mental health status. Due to language barriers and isolation, more children with hearing loss do not have access to mental health services. Cochlear implants have been shown to improve mental health status among the DHH population. Current literature focuses on the mental health status of children with cochlear implants, with little focus on hearing aid users. Using HEAR28 data and surveys, we can quantify the incidence of psychiatric symptoms among pediatric hearing populations. We suspect that there is an increased incidence of mental health symptoms among DHH adolescents with poor hearing aid usage.
The study population included adolescents aged 12-25 from the CCC database. Comprehensive sociodemographic data, including age, sex, race/ethnicity, and primary home language, were collected for all participants. The responses in the HEAR 28 surveys were collected and summarized. Sections needed to be 50% or more completed for inclusion in the study. Survey data were analyzed in sections depicted by surveys (“School Difficulties,” “Feelings,” “Hearing Situations,” “Social Interactions”). Hearing aid usage was organized by “Consistent,” “Inconsistent,” and “Non-Users,” HL types were named by “Bilateral” or “Unilateral.” Groups were compared using ANOVA or Pearson correlation. Statistically significant results were seen in HEARQ-28 scores and HA Usage in “School Difficulties” (p = 0.0353) and “Hearing Situations” (p = 0.0214). No statistically significant relationships were seen between Hearing Loss TYPE and the sum of HEAR28 categories.
Based on the results of the study, we cannot conclude that hearing aid use provides a benefit or that it directly affects QOL. Variation in results suggests that Hearing Aid usage and benefit may be situational for adolescents. Future directions can explore the demographic information of the study population and examine the relationship between the severity of HL and HEARQL responses.
Recommended Citation
Austin, Courtney J. and Chan, Dylan, "Exploring Adolescent Hearing Aid Usage and Appearance of Psychiatric Symptoms in Adolescents using HEARQL-28 Surveys" (2026). MEDI 9331 Scholarly Activities Clinical Years. 96.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/som9331/96
Academic Level
medical student
Included in
Mental Disorders Commons, Otolaryngology Commons, Pediatrics Commons, Psychiatric and Mental Health Commons, Psychiatry Commons, Speech and Hearing Science Commons, Speech Pathology and Audiology Commons
