Acquired hearing impairment in older couple relationships: An exploration of couple resilience processes

A substantial number of older adults have acquired a hearing loss. Natural aging processes often result in gradual hearing impairment called presbycusis. Also, many adults who acquire a hearing impairment at some earlier point in their lives have to adjust to significant additional hearing losses. Because hearing loss affects basic communication processes, couples often have to adjust their ways of interacting. Extant literature presents relevant information about couple relationships in later life, individual adaptation to a hearing loss, and couple relationships where one spouse has a hearing loss. The current study was conducted to better understand the resilience processes that occur for many of these couples.; The family resilience theoretical framework guided this study (Ganong & Coleman, 2002; Walsh, 1996), with an emphasis on meaning that couples give to their experiences. The interaction of belief systems (meaning) was explored in connection with resilience processes and the development of couple relationships over time. The findings from this study represent a snapshot of the couple relationships at one point in time.; Qualitative semi-structured interviews with couples was the main method of data collection. Couples were recruited through local audiologists and through a snowball sampling method. At least one partner had to be 60 years of age or older. Each hearing-impaired participant acquired a hearing loss in adulthood or experienced a dramatic additional loss to one acquired earlier in life. Audiograms of each hearing-impaired participant were requested from doctors and audiologists, and couples completed a marital satisfaction scale.; Themes describing meaning and resilience processes emerged from interviews with eight couples in which one spouse was hearing-impaired. Themes related to meaning included couples' understanding and acceptance of the hearing loss, and demonstrations of the beliefs and values regarding their loss such as optimism, humor, gratitude, and pleasure through hearing. Resilience processes emerged in response to both individual and relational hearing-related difficulties. Couples reported having confidence in their communication skills. They also said that models of resilience, assistive listening devices, and faith in God, helped them to adapt to hearing loss stressors. In addition to what couples reported, resilience processes were observed during the interviews. Couples demonstrated healthy spousal caregiving relationships and the rebalancing of emotional ledgers during the interviews. They also reported retrospectively the development of their relationship in relation to the hearing loss.; A focus group with experienced marriage and family therapists was also conducted to obtain clinical interpretations of the themes that emerged from the couple interviews. Clinicians' responses to themes from the interviews focused on couple relationship dynamics, possible clinical situations with these couples, and the therapist/client relationship. Therapists also viewed the focus group experience as preparatory to their working with hearing-impaired clients.; Many couples facing the hearing impairment of one spouse are living resilient lives together. However, there are likely many who are likely struggling. Implications for audiologists and marriage and family therapists are shared. Suggestions for these professionals can give some guidance to inform their work with these clients. As professionals are informed about the often unspoken and unheard stories relating to hearing loss, they can then serve with greater knowledge, empathy, and hope.