Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42416813›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in digital health2026

A qualitative study exploring access to online hearing loss information and support for adults with hearing loss.

Alicia Zou, Tsz Yui Wong, Jessica Turner, Diana Tang, Duncan Meldrum, Elizabeth Davies, Kate Sheng, Simon O'Toole, Jane Lee, Liz Gill and 2 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in digital health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing 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

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

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

12 authors.

Alicia ZouMacquarie University Hearing Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Tsz Yui WongMacquarie University Hearing Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Jessica TurnerMacquarie University Hearing Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Diana TangMacquarie University Hearing Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Duncan MeldrumMacquarie University Hearing Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Elizabeth DaviesAustralian Astronomical Optics, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Kate ShengAustralian Astronomical Optics, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Simon O'TooleAustralian Astronomical Optics, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Jane LeeDeafness Forum Australia, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
Liz GillJohn Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Melanie FergusonSchool of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.
Bamini GopinathMacquarie University Hearing Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: This qualitative study explores the barriers and facilitators experienced by adults with hearing loss in accessing hearing-related information and services. Findings were interpreted using the Theoretical Domains Framework, which will be used to inform the design of a novel consumer-centred website-Hear4Health. Methods: A total of 13 participants (19-78 years) were recruited. Nine consumers with hearing loss participated in the focus groups, four of whom also served as representatives of consumer organisations. 12 of the 13 participants were subsequently interviewed (51.25 ± 20.35 years), including seven consumers, two consumer organisation representatives, and three who fulfilled dual roles. Results: Nine themes emerged from the interviews under seven theoretical domains: knowledge, environmental context and resources, social influence, beliefs about capabilities, beliefs about consequences, social/professional role and identity, and behavioural regulation. Barriers to access included the themes poor awareness of hearing loss, low-quality information, mistrust in the hearing industry, stigma, unrealistic expectations for hearing technologies, and deaf identity. Facilitators identified included peer support and the value of lived experience, informed decision-making, and self-efficacy. Discussion: These findings provide crucial insights for the development of Hear4Health. Grounded in the Theoretical Domains Framework, this research underscores the importance of addressing both individual and systemic factors to improve digital access to hearing healthcare and empower adults with hearing loss to make confident and informed choices.

Indexed as

adultsbehaviour changeeHealthhearing lossqualitativetheoretical domains framework

Identifiers

PMID42416813
PMCPMC13337841

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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.