The acceptance of hearing disability among adults experiencing hearing difficulties: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE: This study developed the Hearing Disability Acceptance Questionnaire (HDAQ) and tested its construct and concurrent validities. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 90 participants who were experiencing hearing difficulties were recruited in the UK. OUTCOME MEASURES: The HDAQ was developed based on the Tinnitus Acceptance Questionnaire (TAQ). Participants completed self-report measures regarding hearing disability acceptance, hearing disability, symptoms of anxiety and depression and a measure of stages of change. RESULTS: The HDAQ has a two-factor structure that explains 75.69% of its variance. The factors identified were activity engagement and avoidance and suppression. The scale showed a sufficient internal consistency (Cronbach's α=0.86). The HDAQ also had acceptable concurrent validity with regard to self-reported hearing disability, self-reported anxiety and depression and readiness to change measures. CONCLUSIONS: Acceptance is likely an important aspect of coping with chronic health conditions. To our knowledge, no previously published and validated scale measures the acceptance of hearing disability; therefore, the HDAQ might be useful in future research. However, the role of acceptance in adjusting to hearing disability must be further investigated.