A Study of the Level of Knowledge of Adult Foster Care Home Providers in Multnomah County in the State of Oregon About Hearing Loss, Hearing Aids and Communication Strategies

The level of knowledge about hearing aid use, function, and maintenance of caregivers of the elderly persons who are hearing impaired and residing in adult foster care homes in Multnomah County in the state of Oregon was assessed via a 1 7 question survey. Twenty subjects participated in the study. Subjects' responses demonstrated poor knowledge about this subject and indicated that residents' needs are unmet. The results clearly demonstrate the subjects' limited knowledge of the operation of hearing aids, poor grasp of the basic troubleshooting methods for repair, and inaccurate perceptions of hearing aid adjustment. Access to professional audiologic care and appropriate referral strategies are not in place at this time in the adult foster care system in Multnomah County. Due to a limited sample size, an expanded study is necessary to determine the validity of these findings. However, these results suggest that caregiver education regarding hearing loss and hearing aid use is necessary to ensure comprehensive management of the communication difficulties often experienced by elderly hearing impaired long term care facility residents placed in foster care homes.