Promoting Self-Efficacy in Patient-Centered Audiologic Rehabilitation for Adults with Hearing Loss

: http://si p://pubs.as Self-efficacy is defined as an individual’s judgments of their capabilities to perform certain skills necessary to attain a desired outcome or behavior (Bandura, 1986). There is a vast literature across a large range of health conditions that highlights the importance of selfefficacy in the management of chronic health conditions including behaviors related to managing hearing loss and tinnitus (Smith & West, 2006a). The main findings from these studies indicate that patients with higher self-efficacy for managing their chronic health condition tend to be more adherent to treatment plans and have better outcomes than patients with lower self-efficacy. This paper reviews self-efficacy theory and how selfefficacy can be applied to audiologic rehabilitation interventions. Emerging evidence showing that self-efficacy is an essential factor to consider in audiologic rehabilitation for adults is summarized. The way in which individuals formulate self-efficacy beliefs is described and the techniques clinicians can use to promote self-efficacy in audiologic rehabilitation are discussed. “If I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it in the beginning.” Mahatma Gandhi The central tenet of patient-centered care in audiologic rehabilitation (AR) is understanding the unique needs and goals of the patient with hearing loss while at the same time ensuring that the preferences and values of the patient are guiding all clinical decisions (e.g., Grenness, Hickson, Laplante-Lévesque, & Davidson, 2014a, b; Institute of Medicine, 2001). These goals and needs may be communicative, psychosocial, vocational, educational, or otherwise, in nature. In the patient-centered care model, the rehabilitative approach is tailored based on the needs and goals of the patient, but is driven by the preferences and values of the patient. As such, there may be several appropriate intervention options that can be offered to the patient such as amplification, hearing assistive technology, communication strategies training, auditory training, psychosocial adjustment counseling, and so on. With each specific AR intervention, patients with hearing loss often are faced with acquiring new skills and knowledge to manage the effects of their hearing loss in their daily life. Self-efficacy is the confidence that individuals have in their ability to perform the skills necessary to accomplish a certain behavior (Bandura, 1977; 1986; 1997), including behaviors related to managing chronic health conditions such as hearing loss or tinnitus (Smith & West, 2006a). In this paper, self-efficacy will be considered in the context of improving the patientcentered AR approach and outcomes for adults with hearing loss.