Help-seeking journey to accessing audiology services in a peri-urban community in South Africa.

BACKGROUND:  Hearing impairment is an invisible disability affecting one in five people globally. Its ability to affect participation in activities of daily living means that it requires prompt identification and intervention. OBJECTIVE:  This article aims to define the process of accessing audiologists from the onset of symptoms for adults with hearing impairment in a peri-urban community in South Africa. METHOD:  Twenty-three participants were recruited through purposive sampling from an audiology department of a public hospital. Semi-structured interviews were conducted using an interview guide, and data were mapped according to the participants' responses from the onset of ear and hearing symptoms to the point of audiologist consultation for analysis. RESULTS:  Seventeen (74%) participants had long journeys to accessing the audiologist after seeking help from multiple providers, with those with short journeys (26%) being referred mostly by public healthcare providers. Despite participants being from one peri-urban community, their journeys were influenced by socio-economics, health illiteracy and other structural factors. Finally, Ear-Nose-Throat specialists linked participants with audiology services. CONCLUSION:  Accessing audiology services is a complex process in some contexts. The disparities in the social environment, lifestyle factors and pluralistic healthcare models influence access to audiologists. Healthcare providers must take cognisance of the journeys of adults with hearing impairment in their clinical interventions. Universal health coverage, in the form of the planned National Health Insurance (NHI) for all South African citizens, will play an important role in addressing the societal inequalities in accessing healthcare. Factors leading to long journeys should be addressed to facilitate early intervention.Contribution: The study raises implications for the planned NHI in South Africa, suggesting that universal health coverage could play a vital role in addressing societal inequalities in accessing healthcare, including audiology services.

Applications of Grounded Theory Methodology to Investigate Hearing Loss: A Methodological Qualitative Systematic Review With Developed Guidelines.

OBJECTIVES: Qualitative methodologies are commonly adopted in hearing loss research. Grounded theory methodology is increasingly used to establish novel theories explaining experiences related to hearing loss. Establishing and improving the quality of grounded theory studies has been emphasized as critical to ensuring theoretical trustworthiness. Thus, the primary aim of the present study was to systematically review hearing loss research studies that have applied grounded theory methodology and assess the methodological quality of those grounded theory applications. Secondarily aims were to (i) explore how grounded theory methodology has been applied to investigate hearing loss, and (ii) use the findings of the review to develop a set of guidelines to aid the future high-quality application of grounded theory methodology to hearing loss research. DESIGN: Original peer-reviewed studies applying grounded theory methodology and published in English were identified through systematic searches in 10 databases; Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts, British Nursing Index, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, EBSCO, Global Health, MEDLINE (OvidSP), PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The quality of studies was assessed according to 12 grounded theory principles using the Guideline for Reporting, Evaluating, and applying the core principles of Grounded Theory studies (GUREGT) tool. Data were analyzed using qualitative inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: After the removal of duplicates, 155 articles were retrieved. Of those, 39 met the criteria for inclusion in the systematic review. An increase in the adoption of grounded theory methodology to investigate hearing loss was identified with the number of published studies tripling in the last 5 years. Critical appraisal using the GUREGT tool identified four studies as high-quality. Most included studies were of moderate study quality (n = 25), and 10 were classified as being of low study quality. Using inductive thematic analysis, the included studies investigated one of four areas relating to hearing loss: (a) Living with hearing loss, (b) Identity and hearing loss, (c) Coping strategies for hearing loss, and (d) Audiological counseling and rehabilitation. Analysis also identified four main grounded theory factors frequently overlooked in hearing loss research: the different schools of grounded theory, sampling strategy, sample size, and the depth of grounded theory application. CONCLUSIONS: Use of grounded theory methodology is increasing at a rapid rate in hearing loss research. Despite this, studies conducted in the field to date do not meet and apply the full spectrum of grounded theory principles, as outlined by the GUREGT tool. To improve methodological rigor in future studies using grounded theory, we propose a set of guidelines that address the most commonly overlooked methodological considerations in hearing loss studies to date. The guidelines are designed to aid researchers to achieve high methodological quality in any field, improve qualitative rigor, and promote theoretical credibility.

Listening Effort, An Overview of App Validation and Testing by the Audiology 4 all Project.

OBJECTIVE: To describe an application's development and validation process that aims to track hearing difficulties in adverse environments (a listening effort application). DESIGN: 71 subjects were evaluated, divided into two groups: 30 subjects aged between 18 and 30, and 41 subjects aged between 40 and 65. All subjects had European Portuguese as their native language; the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) scored above 24, and all could read and write. All subjects performed the intelligibility test in noise and the test of listening effort. The two tests were randomly applied in the free field in the audiometric cabin and the application. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the results of the two methods (p>0.05). For the group aged between 40 and 65 years old, the ROC curve showed that intelligibility inferior to 68.5% and the number of correct answers lower than 1,5 in the listening effort test are the optimal cut-off for referral to further management. Both tests showed low sensitivity and specificity regarding individuals between 18 and 30 years old, indicating that the application is inappropriate for this age group. CONCLUSIONS: The application is valid and can contribute to the screening and self-awareness of listening difficulties in middle age, with a reduction in the prevalence of dementia soon.

Factores sociodemográficos, audiológicos y audioprotésicos relacionados con la calidad de vida en pacientes con prótesis auditivas en Madrid (España) / Sociodemographic, audiological and audioprosthetic factors related to quality of life in patients with hearing aids, in Madrid, Spain

Antecedentes y objetivo: El propósito de una adaptación protésica no es únicamente mejorar el entendimiento del lenguaje, sino mejorar la calidad de vida. El objetivo de esta investigación es medir la calidad de vida de los pacientes con prótesis auditivas e indagar qué variables sociodemográficas, audiológicas y audioprotésicas la afectan. Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo transversal multicéntrico en la Comunidad de Madrid (España). Muestra formada por 54 pacientes. Se usó la escala Effectiveness of auditory rehabilitation (EAR). Resultados: Edad media de 66.4 años; el 55.6% eran hombres. La puntuación media de 10 ítems de la escala EAR audiológica fue 64.54 (DE 16.43). La puntuación media de 10 ítems de la EAR audioprotésica fue 71.84 (DE 13.49). La edad, sexo, actividad laboral, nivel de estudios, grado de pérdida auditiva, resultados de logoaudiometría, campo libre, número y formato de prótesis auditivas, prescriptor de las prótesis y año de fabricación de las prótesis se asocian con diferentes ítems de la escala EAR (p<.05). Conclusiones: La calidad de vida audiológica oscila entre regular y buena, y la audioprotésica se acerca a buena. Tener menor edad, ser de sexo femenino y tener actividad laboral se asocian con mejor calidad de vida. Las personas con buenos resultados logoaudiométricos se asocian con mejor calidad de vida. Las adaptaciones monoaurales, los audífonos retroauriculares, los audífonos más modernos y que el paciente no se autoprescriba prótesis auditivas se asocian con mejor calidad de vida. Las prótesis auditivas mejoran la calidad de vida de los pacientes siempre que se tengan en cuenta las características sociodemográficas, audiológicas y audioprotésicas específicas de cada paciente para realizar un ajuste audioprotésico personalizado y óptimo.(AU)

Background and objective: The purpose of a prosthetic adaptation is not only to improve language understanding and sound recognition, but to improve the patient's quality of life. The purpose of this investigation is to measure quality of life of patients with hearing aids, and investigate which sociodemographic, audiological and audioprosthetic variables affect it. Material and methods: Multicenter cross-sectional descriptive study in the Community of Madrid (España). Sample 54 patients and Effectiveness of Auditory Rehabilitation (EAR) scale was used. Results: Mean age 66.4 years; 55.6% men. The mean score of 10 audiological EAR items was 64.54 (SD 16.43). The mean score of 10 ear audioprosthetic items was 71.84 (SD 13.49). Age, sex, work activity, level of education, degree of hearing loss, logoaudiometry results, free field, number and format of hearing aids, prescriber of the prostheses and year of manufacture of the prostheses, are associated with different items of the EAR scale (P<.05). Conclusions: The audiological quality of life ranges from regular to good, and audioprosthetics is close to good.Younger age, female sex and work activity are associated with better quality of life. People with good logoaudiometric results are associated with better quality of life. Monaural adaptations, retroauricular hearing aids, more modern hearing aids and that the patient does not self-describe hearing aids, are associated with better quality of life. Hearing aids improve the quality of life of patients, provided that sociodemographic, audiological and audioprosthetic characteristics, specific to each patient are taken into account to make a personalized and optimal audioprosthetic adjustment.(AU)

Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Challenge the Core Values of Traditional Audiology.

PURPOSE: Regulatory changes in the United States introduced over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids with the goal of increasing the accessibility and affordability of hearing health care. It is critical to understand the values inherent to hearing health care systems to evaluate their effectiveness in serving people with hearing difficulty. In this study, we evaluated the relative importance of values across service delivery models and the extent to which the introduction of OTC hearing aids represents a values shift relative to traditional audiology. METHOD: We performed a qualitative content analysis of two document categories: critique documents that motivated the creation of OTC hearing aids and regulatory documents that defined OTC hearing aids. Team members coded portions of text for the values they expressed. In total, 29,235 words were coded across 72 pages in four documents. Rank-order analyses were performed to determine the prioritization of values within each category of documents and subsequently compare values between OTC and traditional audiology documents analyzed in a previous study. RESULTS: Critique and regulatory documents both prioritized values related to reducing barriers to hearing aid access and use, but the lack of a significant correlation in the rank order of values in these documents was evidence of inconsistency between the motivation and implementation of OTC hearing aids. Differences in the rank order of values in the OTC documents compared to traditional audiology were consistent with a values shift. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of OTC as a solution to low hearing aid use represents a values shift, challenging the values of traditional audiology. This research demonstrates a need to establish the values of hearing health care service delivery through a consensus of stakeholders, including individuals from diverse backgrounds underserved by the traditional model.

Use of Diagnostic Audiology and Cochlear Implantation in the US.

This study examined if cochlear implant (CI) use varies geographically within the US and if diagnostic audiology use correlates with CI usage.

Preparing for Otoferlin gene therapy trials: A survey of NHS Paediatric Audiology and Cochlear Implant services on diagnosis and management of Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder.

OBJECTIVES: Gene therapy for monogenic hearing loss is on the horizon. The first trials in patients with Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder (ANSD) due to pathogenic variants in the Otoferlin (OTOF) gene will open this year. In the UK, the new NHS Genomic Medicine Service (GMS) offers genetic testing in each child diagnosed with congenital or early onset sensorineural hearing loss. This survey study aims to map preexisting clinical pathways for the diagnosis and management of children with ANSD and identify opportunities for improvement in early identification of OTOF- related ANSD. METHODS: A Google form with 24 questions in English covering the ANSD clinical pathway was developed with clinicians involved in the diagnosis and management ANSD. The survey was disseminated via email to all Lead clinicians of NHS Tertiary Paediatric Audiology and Cochlear Implant Services within the UK. RESULTS: Data was received from 27 (34 %) NHS Tertiary Paediatric Audiology Services and 8 (n = 57 %) Paediatric Cochlear Implant Services. Services follow existing national guidance and provide multidisciplinary care with structured patient pathways for referral, diagnosis, and management of children with ANSD and multidisciplinary input throughout. Clinicians are aware of the genetic causes of ANSD and new processes for genetic testing, but do not uniformly refer children with ANSD for testing for OTOF pathogenic variants. As such, they had difficulty estimating numbers of children with OTOF pathogenic variants under their care. CONCLUSION: Those results highlight the urgency of implementing hearing gene panel sequencing for all children with ANSD to provide opportunities for early diagnosis and candidacy for OTOF gene therapy trials.

Evaluation of the Ask-Inform-Manage-Encourage-Refer Intervention and Its Implementation Targeting the Provision of Mental Wellbeing Support Within the Audiology Setting.

OBJECTIVES: The ask, inform, manage, encourage, refer (AIMER) program is a behavior change intervention designed to increase the frequency with which hearing healthcare clinicians (HHCs) ask about and provide information regarding mental wellbeing within adult audiology services. The objective of this study was to systematically evaluate the first iteration of the AIMER program to determine whether the intervention achieved the changes in HHC behaviors anticipated and to evaluate feasibility of implementing the AIMER program based on the implementation protocol. DESIGN: The Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework was used to guide this evaluation. Data were collected from October 2020 to February 2022 and included both quantitative and qualitative measures (i.e., observation reports, staff surveys, clinical diaries, clinical file audits, and interviews). RESULTS: Comparison between pre- and post-implementation data showed that the AIMER intervention successfully increased: (i) HHC's skills and confidence for discussing mental wellbeing; (ii) how often HHCs ask about mental wellbeing within audiology consultations; (iii) how often HHCs provide personalized information and support regarding mental wellbeing within audiology consultations; and (iv) how often HHCs use mental wellbeing terms within clinical case notes and general practitioner reports. The factors affecting feasibility of implementing the AIMER program within the clinical setting could be classified into three major categories: (i) the AIMER program itself and its way of delivery to clinical staff; (ii) people working with the AIMER program; and (iii) contextual factors. Key recommendations to improve future implementation of the AIMER program were provided by the participants. CONCLUSIONS: The AIMER program was shown to be effective at increasing the frequency with which HHCs ask about and provide information regarding mental wellbeing within routine audiological service delivery. Implementation of the AIMER program was feasible but leaves room for improvement. Use of the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance framework facilitated systematic evaluation of multiple indicators providing a broad evaluation of the AIMER program. Our analysis helps to better understand the optimal levels of training and facilitation and provides recommendations to improve future scale-up of the AIMER program. The findings of this study will be used to further adapt and improve the AIMER program and to enhance program implementation strategies before its further dissemination.

Original Research Clinical attendance rate at a tertiary adult audiological service in South Africa.

BACKGROUND:  Clinical non-attendance to audiological appointments may negatively affect early diagnosis and intervention as well as treatment outcomes for adults with hearing impairments. OBJECTIVES:  This study aimed to explore the attendance rate and factors influencing attendance and non-attendance at an adult audiology diagnostic clinic at a tertiary hospital in Gauteng, South Africa. METHOD:  A mixed-methods research design, utilising structured questionnaires and a retrospective record review was adopted. A total of 31 adult patients at a diagnostic audiology clinic were interviewed. RESULTS:  Findings revealed an attendance rate of 47.62%, with 52.38% rate failure to return for follow-up appointments. Key reasons for attendance included understanding the need for appointments (57%), staff attitudes (42%) and appointment reminders (17%), and those for non-attendance included multiple appointments (33%), work commitments (28%), transport (8%) and forgetting about the appointment (8%). Six reasons for non-attendance were prominent in the current study: having multiple appointments (33%), work commitments (28%), forgetting the appointment (8%), transport difficulties (8%), attitudes and/or perceptions of the healthcare system (4%) and sequelae of hearing impairment (8%). CONCLUSION:  This study reinforces previous research findings while highlighting that health literacy and Batho Pele (people first) ethos by staff positively influence attendance.Contribution: Current findings contribute towards contextually relevant evidence on the attendance rate in this sector for ear and hearing care, as well as additional insights into factors influencing this within the South African context. This information is crucial for clinical services provision planning as well as for policy formulation around resource allocation in the public healthcare sector.

A Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Case Study to Promote Interprofessional Learning (IPL) Between Audiology and Biomedical Science Students in Higher Education.

Modern and effective patient care requires specialist healthcare professionals working together. Interprofessional learning (IPL) seeks to provide opportunities for different healthcare disciplines to learn with, from and about each other. This study focused on the delivery and evaluation of a cytomegalovirus (CMV) case study workshop to facilitate IPL between two Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) regulated courses: Biomedical Science and Audiology. The 2 h online workshop consisted of 1) defining the roles, responsibilities and skills of the two healthcare professions, 2) the structure of the Biomedical Science and Audiology departments, 3) routes to HCPC registration, 4) core curriculum of both degree programmes and 5) interpreting interdisciplinary data related to a CMV patient case. The workshop was interactive, with the virtual learning environment promoting peer discussions and the use of online polling. Student responses were collected through an online questionnaire. A total of 108 respondents completed a post-event survey and Mann-Whitney U tests revealed there were no significant differences in the responses between the two student cohorts in response to each of the survey statements (p > 0.05). A total of 82.4% of students agreed that they need to know the role of other healthcare professionals for their future practice, whilst 84.2% agreed that the CMV case study was a good format to facilitate effective IPL. A total of 93.5% of respondents recognised the importance of both professions in diagnosing a patient with CMV. Thematic analysis identified four common themes, including appreciation of shared roles, recognition of similarities in registration pathways, working together to provide holistic patient care and the role of clinicians in the patient journey. This novel collaboration between Biomedical Science and Audiology facilitated effective IPL whilst meeting the interprofessional education HCPC requirements. Collaborative working is an essential component of delivering effective patient care and allied healthcare degrees need to provide opportunities within their curriculum to foster this. We hope this study encourages other higher education institutes to expand and develop their current IPL activities to include a broader spectrum of healthcare courses.

Evolución percibida por los padres de preescolares que tartamudean que recibieron tratamiento preventivo / Perceived evolution by parents of preschoolers who stutter and received preventive treatment

Objetivo: I) Describir los resultados preliminares de un estudio sobre la evolución percibida por los padres de los niños entre los 2.11 y 5.11 años que tartamudeaban, después de recibir tratamiento preventivo de tartamudez con apoyo de los progenitores, II) conocer los recursos comunicativos aprendidos por los niños y sus padres respecto al tartamudeo y III) descubrir el grado de satisfacción de los padres con el tratamiento. El estudio se realizó en ILD, centro especializado en trastornos de fluidez. Método: Se administró un cuestionario a 18 padres, cuyos hijos habían sido dados de alta después de la terapia. El 77.8% (n=14) de los participantes fueron niños y el 22.2% (n=4) niñas. Los niños seleccionados que participaron en el estudio tenían una edad comprendida entre cuatro y ocho años (M=5.90, DT=1.25). Resultados: En las respuestas cabe destacar que: I) El 88.9% de los niños mantuvieron un habla fluida, II) y el 72.2% no presentó ni tuvo bloqueos, el 82.3% no experimentó tensión en la garganta, III) los niños mostraron disfluencias cuando estaban cansados (n=6) o estresados (n=5), IV) los niños mejoraron en el habla, en la conducta y adoptaron buenas estrategias ante las disfluencias o los bloqueos, V) tanto los niños como los padres utilizaron los recursos aprendidos durante el tratamiento, VI) se realizaron sesiones individuales de padres y de seguimiento y la mayoría de ellos recibió pautas a seguir en caso de recaídas, y VII) el 94.4% de los padres, quedaron satisfechos con los resultados del tratamiento. Conclusión: Los resultados preliminares indican que el tratamiento realizado con los niños preescolares con apoyo de sus padres ayudó a mejorar la fluidez del habla, su conducta, las actitudes positivas en la conversación y las habilidades de comunicación padres-hijo.(AU)

Aim: The aim of this article is (a) to describe the progress perceived by parents of children between the ages of 2.11 and 5.11 who stuttered, after receiving preventive treatment for stuttering with parental support; (b) to assess the communicative resources learned by the children and their parents regarding stuttering and (c) to find out their level of satisfaction with treatment. The study was carried out at ILD, a specialized centre for fluency disorders. Methods: A questionnaire was administered to 18 parents, whose children had been discharged after therapy. Of the sample, 77.8% (n=14) were boys and 22.2% (n=4) girls. The selected children participating in the study were aged between 4 and 8 years (M=5.90, SD=1.25). Results: From the responses it was noted that: (I) 88.9% of the children maintained fluent speech; (II) and 72.2% did not present or have blocks, 82.3% did not experience throat tension; (III) the children continued to present disfluencies when they were tired (n=6) or stressed (n=5); (IV) the children improved in speaking, behavior and had adopted good strategies in dealing with disfluencies or blocks; (V) both children and parents frequently used the resources learned during treatment; (VI) individual parent and follow-up sessions were conducted and most of them received guidelines to follow in case of relapses; and (VII) 94.4% of parents were satisfied with treatment outcomes.Conclusion: Results indicate that the treatment conducted with the preschool children, with support from their parents, contributed to improvements in speech fluency, behavior, positive conversational attitudes, and parent–child communication skills.(AU)

Tratamiento psicológico de la tartamudez crónica: estudio descriptivo de cinco casos clínicos / Psychological treatment of persistent stuttering: Descriptive study of five clinical cases

La tartamudez persistente se define por la permanencia de las disfluencias y la presencia de factores cognitivos, conductuales y comunicativos que contribuyen a mantenerla y agravarla. Por tanto, su tratamiento clínico debe centrarse en mejorar la fluidez del habla, asegurar la generalización del nuevo patrón prosódico y manejar los pensamientos disfuncionales y las conductas de evitación social y comunicativa que ayudan a mantener el problema y provocan una pérdida significativa de calidad de vida. Objetivo: Medir la eficacia de un tratamiento estandarizado para pacientes adultos con tartamudez persistente centrado en la fluidez de habla y en los aspectos psicológicos implicados. Material y métodos: Estudio clínico analítico de los resultados de la intervención. Se realizó una evaluación de todos los aspectos implicados en la tartamudez persistente mediante instrumentos validados y registro de habla. Se aplicó el protocolo de un tratamiento para tartamudez crónica. Resultados: Se evaluó la fluidez del habla en muestras de habla espontánea y lectura y las subescalas del cuestionario OASES de cinco pacientes con tartamudez de entre 21 y 25años. El tratamiento redujo el porcentaje de sílabas tartamudeadas en todos los casos, tanto en habla como en lectura, así como una reducción de las puntuaciones en todas las subescalas del OASES. Conclusión: Los resultados clínicos obtenidos indican eficacia del protocolo empleado para la modificación de la frecuencia de tartamudeos y de otros fenómenos asociados. Se exponen algunas consideraciones de interés para los terapeutas de la tartamudez crónica.(AU)

Persistent stuttering is defined by the permanence of disfluencies and the presence of cognitive, behavioral, and communication factors that contribute to maintaining and aggravating it. Therefore, clinical treatment should focus on improving speech fluency, ensuring generalization of the new prosodic pattern, and managing dysfunctional thoughts and social and communicative avoidance behaviors that help maintain the problem and cause significant loss of quality of life in patients. Objective: The main objective is to measure the efficacy of a standardized treatment focused on speech fluency and psychological aspects for adult patients with persistent stuttering. Material and methods: Analytical clinical study of the results of the psychological intervention. An evaluation of all aspects involved in persistent stuttering was carried out using validated instruments and speech recording. The protocol of a clinical treatment for chronic stuttering was applied. Results: Speech fluency in spontaneous speech and reading samples and the OASES questionnaire subscales from five stuttering patients aged 21-25years were assessed. The treatment reduced the percentage of stuttered syllables in all cases, both in speaking and reading, as well as a reduction in scores on all OASES subscales. Conclusion: Clinical results obtained indicate the efficacy of the protocol used to modify the frequency of stuttering and other associated behaviors. Some considerations of interest for therapists of chronic stuttering are exposed.(AU)

El temperamento como factor en la aparición de la tartamudez: estudio en población española / Temperament as a factor in stuttering onset: A study in Spanish-speaking population

Introducción: Este estudio analiza, en una muestra de niños españoles, las diferencias en el temperamento entre niños que tartamudean y niños con un desarrollo típico, con el objetivo de relacionar dichas diferencias con la aparición de la tartamudez. Metodología: Participaron 47 niños con tartamudez y 47 niños con desarrollo típico de entre 2 y 6 años, igualados en género y edad (± 2 meses). Para valorar el temperamento se utilizó la adaptación española del Children's Behavioral Questionnaire (CBQ) en su versión corta, que es una prueba informada por los padres. Resultados: Los niños que tartamudean obtuvieron puntuaciones más bajas que los niños con desarrollo típico en nivel de actividad (4.04 frente a 4.39) y en impulsividad (4.02 frente a 4,72). Los niños que tartamudean también puntuaron más bajo en el factor general de surgencia/extraversión (4.14 frente a 4.59). Conclusión: Aparecieron diferencias en el temperamento entre ambos grupos en 2de las 15 escalas del CBQ, al contrario que en estudios de otros países donde hubo mayores diferencias. Se hipotetiza que estos hallazgos podrían deberse a un efecto de la edad, ya que la mayoría de los participantes contaban entre 2 y 4 años, indicando que a edades tempranas no hay una relación clara entre características temperamentales y la tartamudez.(AU)

Introduction: This study analyzes, in a Spanish-speaking sample, differences in temperament between children who stutter and typically-developing children, aiming to establish a relation between such differences and stuttering onset. Methodology: Participants consisted of 47 children who stutter and 47 typically-developing children aged 2–6 years, matched in gender and age (±months). Temperament was assessed using the Spanish version of the short form of the Children's Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ), a parent rating scale. Results: Children who stutter scored lower compared to their typically-developing matches in activity level (4.04 vs. 4.39) and impulsivity (4.02 vs. 4,72). Children who stutter also scored significantly lower in the general surgency factor (4.14 vs. 4.59). Conclusion: Temperamental differences between both groups emerged in 2of the 15 scales of the CBQ, unlike in studies from other countries where such differences were more pronounced. It is hypothesised that these findings could be due to an age effect, as most of the participants were between 2 and 4 years old, indicating that at young ages there is no clear relationship between temperamental characteristics and stuttering.(AU)

Reasignación vocal: relación entre autopercepción de la voz, parámetros acústicos y función vocal en mujeres trans / Vocal reassignment: Relationship between voice self-perception, acoustic parameters and vocal function in trans women

Objetivo: Determinar aspectos anatómicos, acústicos y socioemocionales de la voz en mujeres trans.Método: Corresponde a una investigación de tipo cuantitativa con diseño observacional, análisis descriptivo de tipo transversal retrospectivo, en el que participan 10 mujeres trans que forman parte del programa de género del HSJD. Resultados: Destaca el inicio tardío del proceso de evaluación médica, terapia hormonal y acompañamiento multidisciplinario durante la transición de género. La mayor parte de las participantes perciben su voz dentro de rangos masculinos o neutros. Según los datos obtenidos en este estudio con relación a los parámetros acústicos, todas las participantes se encuentran dentro de rangos normales en la medida de Jitter, sin embargo, 2 de ellas presentan alteración en Shimmer y NHR. Además, el 70% de las participantes presentan características de disfonía músculo tensional. Conclusión: Se debe mencionar que el acompañamiento fonoaudiológico, la valoración de la voz, el estudio anatómico y la posible intervención quirúrgica por parte del especialista otorrinolaringólogo/a, son un eje fundamental a considerar en el proceso de salud global de las personas trans.(AU)

Objective: To determine anatomical, acoustic and socio-emotional aspects of the voice in trans women. Method: It corresponds to a quantitative investigation with an observational design, descriptive analysis of a retrospective cross-sectional type, in which 10 trans women who are part of the gender program of the HSJD. Results: The late start of the process of medical evaluation, hormonal therapy and multidisciplinary accompaniment during the gender transition stands out. Most of the participants perceived their voice to be within the masculine or neutral ranges. According to the data obtained in this study in relation to the acoustic parameters, all the participants are within normal ranges in the Jitter measurement, however two of them present presentations in Shimmer and NHR. In addition, 70% of the participants presented characteristics of tension muscle dysphonia. Conclusion: It should be mentioned that speech therapy monitoring, voice assessment, anatomical study and possible surgical intervention by the otorhinolaryngologist specialist are a fundamental axis to consider in the global health process of trans people.(AU)

Adaptación transcultural del Trans Women Voice Questionnaire (TWVQ) para mujeres trans hablantes del español de uso en Argentina / Transcultural adaptation of the Trans Women Voice Questionnaire (TWVQ) for trans women speakers of Spanish of use in Argentina

Antecedentes: En las mujeres trans los aspectos fisiológicos vocales pueden significar limitaciones, generando sentimientos de inadecuación, restringiendo la participación en actividades sociales y afectando su calidad de vida. El Trans Women Voice Questionnaire (TWVQ) fue desarrollado en Australia y Canadá para medir la autopercepción vocal y su impacto en la vida diaria de las mujeres trans. Objetivo: Realizar la adaptación transcultural del TWVQ y determinar su validez de apariencia, contenido y equivalencia conceptual, práctica y lingüística para valorar la autopercepción de la voz y su impacto en la vida diaria de las mujeres trans de Argentina. Método: Se siguió el método recomendado por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) en cinco etapas: I. Dos traducciones semánticas directas e independientes inglés-español, II. Síntesis de traducciones por panel de expertos, III. Entrevista con panel de tres mujeres trans, IV. Traducción inversa literal español-inglés, V. Pre-test y pruebas cognitivas a seis mujeres trans. Resultados: A través del proceso se controló que la equivalencia conceptual, práctica y lingüística, así como la comprensión y viabilidad del Versión del TWVQ adaptada para su uso en Argentina (TWVQ-AR) fueran adecuados. Cinco ítems requirieron adaptaciones mayores para lograr la equivalencia semántica en aquellos que midieron el tema «tono», que las participantes interpretaron como variaciones de intensidad del sonido y no de frecuencia. Conclusión: El TWVQ-AR resultó en adecuada validez por apariencia y contenido; equivalente al original australiano-canadiense y correcto en el aspecto conceptual, la práctica y la lingüística para mujeres trans de Argentina. Se deben examinar sus propiedades métricas como indicador de calidad de vida relacionada con la voz en esta población.(AU)

Context: In trans women, the physiological aspects of their voices that may be different from expected, either by them or other people they interact with, may result in limitations in their daily lives generating feelings of inadequacy, restricting social interaction, and impacting their overall psychosocial well-being. Objective: The objective was to undertake the transcultural adaptation of the TWVQ and test its face and content validity, as well as its conceptual, practical, and lingüistic equivalence to measure the self-perception of trans women's voices from Argentina and its impact on their daily lives in relation to their health. Method: This study followed the World Health Organization guidelines for transcultural adaptations recommended by the author of the original TWVQ Georgia Dacakis. The adaptation underwent five different stages. I – Two forward translations (from English to Spanish from Argentina), II – expert panel revision, III – interview with a group of trans women to test comprehension, IV – two back translations (from Argentinian Spanish back to English), and V – pre-testing and cognitive interviewing with a group of trans women. Conclusion: The TWVQ-AR is valid in face and content validity as well as in conceptual, practical, and lingüistic equivalence to the original TWVQ to successfully measure the self-perception of trans women's voices from Argentina and its impact on their daily lives in relation to their health.(AU)

Barriers and facilitators influencing hearing help-seeking behaviors for adults in a peri-urban community in South Africa: a preventive audiology study.

Objective: This study aims to examine the barriers and facilitators to accessing ear and hearing care experienced by adults with hearing impairment in a developing South African context. Methods: A total of 23 participants were recruited through purposive sampling from an audiology department of a public hospital in peri-urban South Africa. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted to capture a broad range of perspectives. Data were analyzed through thematic analysis. Results: Socio-economic factors acted as the primary barrier while structural and health system factors were the main facilitator in influencing participants' journeys toward hearing help-seeking. Conclusion: Help-seeking decisions made by adults with hearing impairment are impacted by numerous factors. Individual, providers, and environmental factors combine to play a significant role in resolving ear and hearing complaints. Socio-economic and healthcare level gaps reveal the inequalities that affect help-seekers, which, therefore, need to be addressed. The provision of equitable audiology services within hearing health policy is critical for the prevention of severe consequences of hearing impairment. Plans to implement universal healthcare through the National Health Insurance (NHI) by the South African government must include the universal access to preventive audiology services.