Chapter 3 72 Abstract Objective Compared to normally-hearing employees, those with hearing loss suffer from higher need for recovery after work. The aims of this study are to assess the need for recovery of employees with hearing loss before and after aural rehabilitation and to examine to what extent change in the need for recovery can be explained by changes in subjective listening effort, personal adjustments, communication strategies, auditory work demands, and self-reported hearing ability. Methods We included patients who received aural rehabilitation in two audiological centers in the Netherlands because of hearing complaints in their work situation. Outcomes were measured by questionnaires at baseline and three months follow-up. The need for recovery before and after the rehabilitation was compared with a t-test. Hierarchical multiple analyses were performed. Results In total, 60 patients (aged 22-63, working hours ≥8 per week) participated in the study, of which 50 completed the follow-up questionnaires. The need for recovery was significantly lower after the aural rehabilitation (M = 45.03) compared to before the aural rehabilitation (M = 51.89), t = -3.43, p < .01). Change in NFR could best be explained by the change in personal adjustments (R2 = .45, B = -1.23, p < .01). Conclusion The NFR of employees with hearing loss can be improved by aural rehabilitation, but this study shows that current practices reduce the need for recovery only in part of the employees. Therefore, improving current practices should be considered and evaluated, for example by applying a different combination of rehabilitation components. Especially, interventions that affect personal adjustments may be promising to further reduce the need for recovery in employees with hearing loss.
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