Prevalence of hearing impairment in a community population of adults with learning disability: access to audiology and impact on behaviour

Authors:
TIMEHIN C., TIMEHIN E.
Journal article citation:
British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 32(3), September 2004, pp.128-132.
Publisher:
Wiley

There is a paucity of studies exploring the frequency of problem behaviours in people with learning disability and hearing impairment, described as 'double jeopardy' because the difficulties are compounded to be more than the sum of their parts. The study aimed to ascertain the prevalence of hearing impairment in a community population of adults with learning disability, investigate their access to audiology, and also collect information on the prevalence of problem behaviours and explore links between hearing impairment and use of hearing aids and problem behaviours. Prevalence was 9.2%; 70% had been seen by audiology services at some time but only 24% had ongoing assessments and hearing-aid maintenance; 62% had problem behaviours and 34% had self-injurious behaviour. The high prevalence of these compared with other studies suggests a need for further research. These findings also reveal that the hearing status of people with learning disability continues to be overlooked as the deafness often gets lost among their other problems.

Subject terms:
learning disabilities, access to services, conduct disorders, deafness, hearing impairment;
Content type:
research
Link:
Journal home page
ISSN online:
1468-3156
ISSN print:
1354-4187

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