The meaning of hearing impairment and of the use of hearing aids for elderly people

Abstract

The aim of this research was to study the meaning of the hearing impairment and of the hearing aids usage by the elderly. To understand the production of meaning in daily life we used a method of Discursive Practices Analysis (Spink, Medrado, 2004). Through the careful reading of the transcription of nine interviews we established five categories to the data analysis. At the category definitions, hearing impairment received the meaning of contact restrictions with others and hearing impaired received the negative meaning of less capable. At the category causes, hearing impairment was mainly related to advanced age, receiving the meaning of fatality. At the category hearing aids usage, these equipments received the meaning of instruments that make possible the re-establishment of the contact with others, but not completely, because communicative difficulties still last. At the category social, were referred the negative reactions of the participants and the others when communicative difficulties appear, emphasizing the escape from the situations where communication is demanded. They also referred the social pressure for the hearing aids usage, showing that these difficulties also affect those who surround them. At the category affectivity, for the hearing impairment were referred feelings such as fear, isolation, nervousness and shame. For hearing aids usage were referred joy, well-being sensation, concern and shame. Such emotions have disclosed the impact of hearing impairment and hearing aids usage at their lives. Therefore, we concluded that the meanings attributed to hearing impairment and hearing aids usage are mostly related to the stigma and influence on its acceptance, affecting the rehabilitation process of the elderly.