None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
This project aims to evaluate an online face-to-face communication training program (HEARhelp Online) for adults with hearing loss an their communication partners. HEARhelp Online is a simple, web-based intervention that addresses the need to make people more aware to speak to someone with hearing loss face-to-face. It is specifically tailored dyads comprising of an adult with hearing loss and a frequent communication partner and aims to improve face-to-face communication around the home. Participants will include a maximum of 517 dyads, who will be randomised to either the intervention group (HEARhelp Online + treatment as usual) or the control group (treatment as usual). Dyads in the intervention group will complete 5 online modules (which include information, videos and activities) over a 5 week period. It is hypothesised that participating in the HEARhelp Online training program (+ treatment as usual) will: (1) lead to significantly greater decrease in hearing disability experienced by adults with hearing loss and their communication partners, compared to the control group (treatment as usual), (2) Be more cost-effective, compared to control group (treatment as usual), (3) be associated with positive changes in capability, opportunity and motivation, and (4) be associated with positive changes in use of face-to-face communication training. Participants will be asked to complete surveys at baseline, week 7 (immediately post-intervention) and 4.5 months (3 months post-intervention). Participants may also be invited to participate in an interview at 4.5 months (3 months post-intervention). Data will be analysed using descriptive statistics, mixed effects models, a series of two-way mixed ANOVAs and qualitative interviews.
Interventions
A randomised controlled trial will be used to evaluate the impact of an online face-to-face communication training program (HEARhelp Online).
The objective of HEARhelp Online is to increase face-to-face communication around the home and reduce communication disability. It comprises of 5 x 30 minutes online modules, which participants will work through over a five week period (1 per week) in a location of their choice (e.g., own home, family member's home). Participants will complete the module
A randomised controlled trial will be used to evaluate the impact of an online face-to-face communication training program (HEARhelp Online). The objective of HEARhelp Online is to increase face-to-face communication around the home and reduce communication disability. It comprises of 5 x 30 minutes online modules, which participants will work through over a five week period (1 per week) in a location of their choice (e.g., own home, family member's home). Participants will complete the modules as a dyad, consisting of an adult with hearing loss and a nominated communication partner (who may or may not have a hearing loss). Dyads are able to work through the online modules together or independently, however they will need to complete the majority of the home activities jointly. The modules/topics covered in the program are: 1) Understanding why face-to-face communication is important, (2) Preparing for regular face-to-face communication at home, (3) How to speak face-to-face at home to achieve your goals, (4) Preparing the environment for face-to-face communication, and (5) Preparing to speak face-to-face now and into the future. Within each module there is written information, images, in-session activities and home activities. Some modules also include video examples demonstrating good and bad face-to-face communication. The activities dyads will be asked to complete include: monitoring and reflecting on their own communication, goal setting and action planning for face-to-face communication, practicing of face-to-face communication and making changes to room layouts in their home to promote face-to-face communication. Adherence to the training will be monitored using website analytics (e.g. frequency with which participants log into modules; time taken to complete modules) and by reviewing written booklets at completion of the intervention.
Sponsors
The University of Queensland
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Educational / counselling / training
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Subject)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Participants must sign up to the study as a dyad, of which: At least one member of the dyad has a self-reported hearing disability At least one member of the dyad experiences self-reported communication difficulties at home Both members of the dyad are over 18 years old Both members of the dyad reside in Australia
Exclusion criteria
One or both members of the dyad has no access to the Internet One or both members of the dyad reside in an aged care facility Participant is not part of a dyad who have both consented to the study Although not a strict inclusion/exclusion criteria, adults with hearing loss will be encouraged to nominate a communication partner who they live with or see frequently, who will also participate in the study.
Outcome results
None listed