Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40087703›Full record

ArticleBMC public health2025

Communication difficulties among individuals with hearing impairments during the COVID-19 pandemic and their associated factors: a cross-sectional study using a national survey in Japan.

Taeko Watanabe, Takehiro Sugiyama, Ai Suzuki, Nanako Tamiya

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Unilateral Hearing Loss and Dental Care: A Questionnaire Survey of Patient Challenges and Provider Responses.Special care in dentistry : official publication of the American Association of Hospital Dentists, the Academy of Dentistry for the Handicapped, and the American Society for Geriatric Dentistry
    Article
4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Taeko WatanabeDepartment of Health Services Research, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1- 1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan. watanabe.taeko@md.tsukuba.ac.jp.
Takehiro SugiyamaDepartment of Health Services Research, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1- 1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
Ai SuzukiDoctoral Program in Public Health, Department of Health Services Research, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
Nanako TamiyaDepartment of Health Services Research, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1- 1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.

Funding

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science 22 K 18258
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic and the widespread use of face masks have exacerbated communication challenges, especially among individuals with hearing impairments. This study aimed to identify the factors influencing interpersonal communication difficulties among individuals with hearing impairment in Japan during the pandemic.

methodsThis cross-sectional study examined data from the 2022 Survey on Difficulty in Living. The study focused on individuals aged 12 years and older who held physical disability certificates for hearing impairments. The outcome was difficulties with interpersonal communication, with the primary factor of interest being the presence of a regular caregiver and the use of voice recognition software. Additional factors examined included sex, age, degree of hearing impairment, age at first hearing impairment certification, and the frequency of outings.

resultsAmong 410 individuals with hearing impairments, 55.6% experienced communication difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic. Multivariable analysis indicated that individuals with regular caregivers were less likely to experience communication difficulties (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) = 0.81, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.66-0.99), while those using voice recognition software were more likely to face difficulties (aPR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.04-1.80). In addition, individuals aged 40-64 years and those with more severe hearing impairment (Grade 2-4) were more likely to experience communication difficulties. Frequent outings were also associated with an increased likelihood of communication difficulties (aPR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.03-1.58).

conclusionsDuring emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic, self-reliant individuals with hearing impairments may require increased public support to mitigate communication barriers.

Indexed as

Communication BarriersCommunication DisordersCOVID-19Hearing LossPersons with Hearing DisabilitiesAdolescentAdultAgedChildCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansJapanMaleMiddle AgedPandemicsCaregiverCommunicationCovid-19Hearing impairmentPandemicPublic healthSocial medicine

Identifiers

PMID40087703
PMCPMC11908009

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.