Purpose : Using of communication strategy facilitates successful communication by reducing communication breakdowns of people with hearing loss. The purpose of this study is to develop a group communication training program useful for hearing aid centers in Korea and identify the program effects in people with hearing loss.
Methods : A total of 8 adults(5 hearing aids users and 3 bimodal cochlear implant users) were participated in this study. The group communication strategy program was performed 2 hours per week in continuous 3 weeks. The effectiveness of the group communication strategy program was measured in Korean version of hearing handicap inventory for the elderly(K-HHIE), Communication and Acceptance Questionnaire(CAQ), International Outcome Inventory-Alternative Interventions(IOI-AI), Modified Client Oriented Scale of Improvement(Modified-COSI) and subjective feedbacks.
Results: Participants showed some improvements in K-HHIE, CAQ, and Modified-COSI after group communication strategy program. Results of IOI-AI and subjective feedbacks also indicated overall satisfaction and positive feedbacks on the group communication strategy program.
Conclusion: Group communication strategies program of this study showed positive effects on their communications of people with hearing loss by learning communication strategies and practicing in their daily lives. In order to vitalize the domestic group communication strategy program, it is necessary additional researches to develop and apply various communication strategy training contents considering the daily life aspects of people with hearing loss.