Development of Communication Strategies Training (CST) module for adults with hearing impairment: A preliminary study on training efficacy in offline and online modes

Abstract

Effective communication is essential for social interaction, participation and overall quality of life. However, individuals with hearing impairment often experience frequent communication breakdowns that can lead to frustration, withdrawal and reduced psycho-social well-being. The use of communication strategies (CS) can significantly mitigate these difficulties, but structured training programs tailored to specific languages and cultural contexts are limited. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a Communication Strategies Training (CST) module for native Kannada speaking adults with acquired hearing loss, delivered through both face-to-face and tele-intervention modes.

Forty native Kannada-speaking adults using hearing aids participated in the study. Six self-reported questionnaires- [International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA), Hearing Handicap Questionnaire (HHQ), Self-Awareness of Communication (SAC), Participation Questionnaire (PQ), Assessment of Quality of Life (AQoL-4D), Communication Strategy Scale (CSS) and Communication Scenario Questionnaire (CSQ)] were used to measure hearing handicap, participation, quality of life, use of CS, and application of CS in specific scenarios respectively. These questionnaires were used as outcome measures of CST.

The CST module comprised 6 to 10 hours of hierarchically structured training across eight real-life scenarios, each with three levels of difficulty. These scenarios reflected situations where individuals with hearing impairment commonly face communication challenges. Participants were divided into face-to-face and tele-CST groups based on their choice and were assessed at three time points: pre-training, immediate post-training, and at one-month post-training, using the above-mentioned outcome measures.

Results indicated significant improvements in communication performance, especially in the scenario-based CS application and overall communication ability. While immediate post-training outcomes were positive, more pronounced benefits were observed at the one-month follow-up, highlighting the importance of continued practice and time for generalization. Importantly, both face-to-face and tele-CST modes were equally effective, supporting the feasibility of remote delivery.

To conclude, this study demonstrates the effectiveness of a culturally and linguistically tailored CST module in improving communication outcomes among native Kannada-speaking individuals with hearing impairment. The comparable benefits across delivery modes suggest that tele-CST can serve as an accessible and scalable alternative to in-person auditory rehabilitation.