Online self-help via controlled discussion forum

Authors

  • Elisabet Sundewall Thorén Oticon A/S, Research Centre Eriksholm, Kongevejen 243, DK-3070 Snekkersten, Denmark; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Technical Audiology, Linköping University, SE-58183 Linköping, Sweden
  • Monica Svensson Department of Clinical Sciences, Logopedics, Phoniatrics, Audiology Lund University, Sweden
  • Anna Törnqvist Department of Clinical Sciences, Logopedics, Phoniatrics, Audiology Lund University, Sweden
  • Gerhard Andersson Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, SE-58183 Linköping, Sweden
  • Per Carlbring Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, SE-58183 Linköping, Sweden
  • Thomas Lunner Oticon A/S, Research Centre Eriksholm, Kongevejen 243, DK-3070 Snekkersten, Denmark; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Technical Audiology, Linköping University, SE-58183 Linköping, Sweden; Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, SE-58183 Linköping, Sweden

Abstract

Recent studies on hearing rehabilitation with group discussions show similar long-term bene ts as conventional professional counselling [Abrams et al., J Rehabil Res Dev. 5, (2002); Hickson et al., Ear Hear. 28 (2007)]. The use of professional support for self-help via the internet may reduce anxiety and depression [Andersson, Behav Res Ther 47 (2009)]. Inspired by those results, we created an online discussion forum for self-help where 30 experienced hearing-aid users communicated, on their own for ve weeks. Each week they started the discussions from a given topic, without any professional assistance. We measured their reported subjective hearing problems online using standardized questionnaire (HHIE) pre and post the online intervention. The ndings show that the participants reduced their reported subjective hearing problems signi cantly by taking part in the discussions. By using manifest qualitative content analysis of the participants’ online communication we will present results including typical categories and themes in the discussions, as well as peer-to-peer helping behavior. The findings indicates that interacting with peers have a positive signi cant effect on the long-term outcome of their hearing rehabilitation. Further development of this tool could be a very useful instrument in the rehabilitation of hearing impaired adults.

References

Abrams, H., Chisholm., T. H., and McArdle, R. (2002). “A cost-utility analysis of adults group audiologic rehabilitation: Are the bene ts worth the cost?,” J Rehabil Res Dev. 5, 549-558.

Andersson, G. (2009). Using the internet to provide cognitive behaviour therapy. Behav Res Ther 47, 175-180.

Carlbring, P., Nilsson-Ihrfelt, E., Waara, J., Kollenstam, C., Burman, M., Kaldo- Sandström, V., Söderberg, M., Ekselius, L., and Andersson, G. (2005). “Treatment of Panic Disorder: Live Therapy vs. Self-Help via Internet,” Behav Res Ther 43, 1321-1333.

Graneheim, U. H., and Lundman, B. (2004). “Qualitative content analysis in nursing resarch: concepts, procedures and measures to achive trustworthiness,” Nurse Educ Today 24, 105-112.

Hickson, L., Worrall, L., and Scarinci, N. (2007). “A randomized controlled trial evaluating the Active Communication Education program for older people with hearing impairment,” Ear Hear. 28, 212-230.

Hsieh, H-F., and Shannon, S. E. (2005). “Three approaches to qualitative content analysis,” Qual Health Res 15; 9, 1277-1288.

Ventry, I. M., and Weinstein, B. E. (1982). “The hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly: a new tool,” Ear Hear. 3, 128-134.

Additional Files

Published

2009-12-15

How to Cite

Thorén, E. S., Svensson, M., Törnqvist, A., Andersson, G., Carlbring, P., & Lunner, T. (2009). Online self-help via controlled discussion forum. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research, 2, 481–486. Retrieved from https://proceedings.isaar.eu/index.php/isaarproc/article/view/2009-49

Issue

Vol. 2 (2009): Binaural Processing and Spatial Hearing

Section

2009/4. Recent concepts in binaural cochlear-implant and hearing-aid processing

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