Authors : Himanshu Kumar Sanju, Himanshu Kumar Sanju, Komal Aggarwal, Komal Aggarwal, Arun Kumar Yadav, Arun Kumar Yadav
DOI : 10.18231/j.ijashnb.2019.011
Volume : 5
Issue : 2
Year : 2019
Page No : 44-47
Numerous studies have concluded that for successful implementation of hearing and speech related programs in a multidisciplinary health care-based set-up, allied health care professionals specialized in any field should have appropriate knowledge and attitude towards the challenges and impact of hearing loss. So, in order to provide abundant knowledge to the allied health professionals audiologists should have evidence based knowledge which can reflect them the actual manifestation regarding the knowledge and attitude of the specialized allied health professionals in areas related hearing loss, assessment, diagnosis and subsequent audiological management. The present research is being conducted to assess the knowledge and attitude among allied health professionals across various range of hospital set up in northern India regarding hearing loss, assessment procedures and intervention options available. A questionnaire-based study (online survey) of 22 questions was adopted from similar kind of studies and was framed with the aim to assess the knowledge and attitude among allied health professionals regrading hearing loss and vestibular disorder. A total of 160 health professionals consisting of psychologist, physiotherapist, optometrist, occupational therapist recruited from medical colleges, government hospitals, primary health centers, ambulatory health care setting participated in the present study. The outcome of the present study reveals that participants had good knowledge and attitude towards the basic areas related to hearing loss and vestibular disorder. However, there are gaps in certain areas where there is a need to increase awareness and educate them regarding the role of an audiologist/speech language pathologist.
Keywords: Knowledge, Attitude, Hearing Impairment, Vestibular disorder, Allied health professionals.