HESP Seminar: Katie Menon (HESP)

Validation of a Comprehensive List of Values in Audiology

Abstract: Consumers prefer products and services that align with their values. A misalignment of patient values with the values enacted in hearing healthcare may be a causal factor in the ongoing epidemic of untreated hearing loss in the United States. As the primary provider of clinical services, audiologists largely determine the values enacted in hearing healthcare. In a previous study, we documented the values of audiology by performing a qualitative content analysis of documents representative of traditional, best-practice audiology. The objective of this study was to elicit the stated values of audiologists and evaluate the alignment of stated values with documented best-practices. A values-ranking survey was administered online to audiologists. Data from the 289 U.S.-based audiologists across 46 states were analyzed. The primary result was a list of values in mean rank order of importance among U.S.-based audiologists. The three values ranked most highly by audiologists included accuracy, safety, and equity. Additional values suggested by audiologists were consistent with existing values resulting in no additions to the list of values obtained from best-practice documents. We validated a comprehensive list of the values of traditional audiology and identified the rank order of values of practicing audiologists.