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J Am Acad Audiol 2017; 28(07): 644-654
DOI: 10.3766/jaaa.16098
Articles
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

What Factors Are Associated with Autonomous and Controlled Motivation for Hearing Help-Seekers?

Jason Ridgway
*   School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
,
Louise Hickson
*   School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
,
Christopher Lind
†   Speech Pathology and Audiology, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
26 June 2020 (online)

Also available atMedOne
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Abstract

Background:

Hearing impairment is prevalent in older adults. Motivation is important in people’s choice to seek help for their hearing and whether to adopt or not adopt hearing aids.

Purpose:

To investigate associations between sociodemographic and audiometric characteristics and autonomous and controlled motivation among a sample of hearing help-seekers.

Research Design:

A quantitative approach was taken for this cross-sectional cohort study.

Study Sample:

A total of 253 adult first-time hearing help-seekers were recruited to the study.

Data Collection and Analysis:

Participants provided sociodemographic information and completed questionnaires adapted from self-determination theory that measured autonomous motivation (motivation that originates from within the self and is aligned with personal values and beliefs) and controlled motivation (motivation that stems from external pressures such as rewards or punishment, or conflicted inner feelings such as guilt or shame).

Results:

Participants with higher autonomous motivation scores were younger, wanted hearing aids more, and reported greater hearing difficulty in everyday life than those with lower scores. Participants with higher controlled motivation scores were more often referred to the service by others and wanted hearing aids more than those with lower controlled motivation scores. Controlled motivation scores were not associated with perceptions of hearing difficulty in everyday life.

Conclusion:

Relationships among motivation and sociodemographic factors highlight the importance of characterizing autonomous and controlled motivation in first-time hearing help-seekers. Attention to personal characteristics in order to understand motivational processes involved in rehabilitation decisions such as hearing aid adoption may aid in consultations.

Key Words

autonomy - autonomy support - hearing aid adoption - hearing aids - hearing impairment - motivation - self-determination theory

This research is part of Jason Ridgway’s PhD work, and was supported through the University of Queensland School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.


The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.