Cognitive Anxiety and the Decision to Seek Services for Hearing Problems

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between a transient state anxiety measure (cognitive anxiety) and the decision to consult for hearing services in older adults. Cognitive anxiety was measured using a content analytic scheme grounded in personal construct psychology. A total of 93 adults with hearing impairment between the ages of 65 and 80 years participated in this study and comprised three groups that occupied different points in the consultation process: a nonconsulting group living in the community, a consulting group seeking evaluation and treatment for hearing impairment, and a group who had received communication consultation and hearing aids. No between-group differences were observed on demographic or objective audiologic measures of hearing impairment. However, as predicted, those who were actively seeking consultation for hearing impairment displayed the highest level of cognitive anxiety, and those who had received consultation and assistance the least, suggesting that...