The document discusses audiologists' views on the medicalization of NHS hearing aid services and its impact on stigma and uptake of hearing aids. It reports on a pilot study that surveyed audiologists about desirable and undesirable aspects of medicalization. Results showed that while some medicalized elements like disease information and anatomical charts were considered desirable, other aspects like limited hearing aid choice and typical NHS color schemes were viewed as undesirable. The relationship between medicalization, stigma, and hearing aid use is complex. Further research is needed to better understand how to modify medicalized aspects of services to reduce stigma and improve uptake of hearing aids.

1. The view of audiologists on medicalisation
and its desirability within NHS services

2. Definitions
Why do this survey?
Method and results
Discussion/Conclusion
Moving forward

3. Medicalisation = Treating human disorders and conditions as
illnesses or sickness.
Stigma = When individuals believe that an attribute or
characteristic devalues a person’s identity
(Morrall, 2009; Conrad, 2007; Crocker, 1999)

4. Age related hearing loss
(ARHL) most common
sensory impairment
1 in 10 adults aged
between 40-69 years
2% of adults aged 40-69
years regularly use
hearing aids
Lack of benefit,
appearance and comfort
as well as denial and
stigma
Calls for earlier
intervention
Prevention of social
isolation, depression,
anxiety and dementia
(Dawes et al., 2014; Wallhagen, 2010; McCormack and Fortnum, 2013; Hetu, 1996; Lin et al., 2013;International Longevity Centre-UK, 2014)

5. MEDICALISED
HA SERVICES
STIGMA HA UPTAKE
(Monitor 2015; International Longevity Centre-UK, 2014; Brooke et al., 2015)

6. Online
Pilot Study
Clinical partners

7. Results

8. Hand sanitiser stations on the wall
Reading materials concerning diseases
Anatomical charts or anatomy posters
Wipe-clean floors and chairs
Smells such as disinfectants and alcohol-based sanitisers
White tunics or uniforms
The treatment of naturally occuring, age-related conditions as a disease
An equal client and practitioner relationship
Typical NHS colour Schemes (e.g. magnolia, cream, pastel blue)
Professional but personal attire
Comfortable, modern decor
Bright, economic, effcient lighting
Abscence of music or radio in waiting rooms
0.0 20.0 40.0 60.0 80.0 100.0
Componentsofinterest
Percentage
Great extent Some extent No extent

9. 0.0 20.0 40.0 60.0 80.0 100.0
Limited range of hearing aid choice/customisation
Smells such as disinfectants and alcohol-based sanitisers
Typical NHS colour Schemes (e.g. magnolia, cream, pastel…
The treatment of naturally occuring, age-related conditions as…
Abscence of music or radio in waiting rooms
White tunics or uniforms
Reading materials concerning diseases
Wipe-clean floors and chairs
Anatomical charts or anatomy posters
An equal client and practitioner relationship
Hand sanitiser stations on the wall
Bright, economic, effcient lighting
Percentage
Areaswithintheworkplace
Undesirable Desirable

10. 0.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0 60.0 70.0
Use of colour in department decorations
An equal client and practitioner relationship
How age-related hearing loss is discussed with clients/family
members
Hearing technology choice available
Information offered in leaflets
Overall atmosphere of waiting area
Auditory environment (e.g. telephones, alarms,
patient/practitioner conversations)
Posters or advertisements on the walls
Smell (such as disinfectant)
Selection of magazines available
Percentage
Areasrated
Not at all medicalised Slightly medicalised Moderately medicalised Highly medicalised

11. Discussion and
Conclusion

12. Reading and visual information
Disease information viewed as greatly medicalised, 50% desirable
Anatomical charts greatly medicalised and highly desirable
Environment
Atmosphere of waiting rooms moderately medicalised
Wipe-clean flooring and chairs highly medicalised and desirable
NHS colour schemes, medicalised and undesirable

13. Technology
Limited range of hearing aids undesirable,
Choice of hearing technology moderately medicalised
Clinician contact
Treating hearing loss as a disease was considered medicalised, with
divided desirability
Equal practitioner client relationship was medicalised to some extent
desirable

14. Medicalised
elements
Desirable
Medicalised
elements
Undesirable

15. MEDICALISED
HA SERVICES
STIGMA HA UPTAKE

16. MEDICALISED
HA SERVICES
STIGMA HA UPTAKE

17. Relationship of
medicalisation,
stigma and hearing
aid uptake is complex
Further study
required
Some ideas moving
forward

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