Treatment effectiveness research in audiological rehabilitation: fundamental issues related to dependent variables

This article addresses one specific aspect of treatment evaluation research, namely the dependent variables used to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment programs provided in audiological rehabilitation. First, some underlying principles that should guide the design of all treatment evaluation research are presented. Second, issues specifically related to the selection of outcome measures are discussed. It is argued that treatment effectiveness research should incorporate individualized outcome measures. That is, a unique set of outcome measures should be identified for each of the persons who participate in the treatment program. Further, each outcome measure should make it possible to document changes related to each participant's involvement in the specific activity identified in the objective of the intervention program. Finally, other types of dependent variables that should be considered when conducting treatment effectiveness research are discussed. Specifically, information should be collected to identify all the factors that either facilitated or constituted an obstacle to the implementation of the treatment program or the successful attainment of the targeted goal of the program. Also, information should be obtained to describe the impacts and consequences of the intervention program.