The use of an open-ended questionnaire to identify positive aspects of acquired hearing loss

The aim of this study was to identify the kinds of positive experiences associated with acquired hearing loss. An open-ended questionnaire was administered to consecutive patients seen in an audiological rehabilitation clinic. Seventy-nine respondents reported positive experiences encountered as a result of hearing loss. Positive questionnaire responses were grouped to themes corresponding to communicative experiences, psychological experiences, social experiences, and professional and technical support. The most commonly reported positive experiences were reduced disturbance by unwanted sounds (26), successful communication strategies (24), affinity for other hearing-impaired and disabled people (17), perceived self-development (13) and using hearing loss to self-advantage (10). Responses were independent of respondents' audiological and social characteristics.