PhD research into hearing loss on adults

Research fellow Susan Coan, is undertaking her PhD at Leeds Beckett University and looking for support from people of working age who have hearing loss.

As part of her research, she would like to discover individual experiences of people losing their hearing as an adult (18-65) and how it affects their health, wellbeing and use of health services.  

Questions will focus on general experiences of being diagnosed with hearing loss, the types of support they received, and the effect it has had on their life.

Here is more information about what’s involved.

Who is eligible to take part in this research?

Susan would like to speak to the following groups of people:

• People who are deaf/hard of hearing who lost their hearing as working age adults (18-65) and don’t use BSL
• People who have had a formal diagnosis from an audiologist.
• Age 18+

How will it work?

The research will encompass interviews in the following formats:

• Group chat: We’ll have a relaxed chat in a group with tea/coffee about health in general and I’ll ask some open questions about your experiences of hearing loss and how that’s affecting your health and using health services. With permission I’ll audio record the conversation.
• One-to-one conversation: this can be in person (in the Leeds/West Yorkshire area) or online. I’ll ask some open questions about your experiences of hearing loss and how that’s affecting your health and using health services. With permission I’ll audio record the conversation. There is no obligation to take part and no pressure to answer any questions if you decide to speak to me.  No preparation needed, just an interest in being involved.

For full details of what’s involved and how your information will be used, download the Participant Information Sheet below.

How to take part

If you would like to contribute to this research. Please email Susan at s.coan@leedsbeckett.ac.uk to arrange a time to participate. 

The research has been reviewed and approved through Leeds Beckett University Research Ethics procedures to protect your well-being, rights and dignity.  There are no risks involved in taking part in the research but if you have a concern about any aspect of this research you should ask to speak to the researchers who will do their best to answer your questions. If you would like to speak to someone independent from the study, you can contact: Dr Jenny Woodward, the Local Research Ethics Coordinator: j.l.woodward@leedsbeckett.ac.uk