Compassion in Hearing Care: Expanding Audiologic Rehabilitation to Address Emotional Adjustment
Document Type
Poster
Start Date
28-4-2026 12:00 PM
End Date
28-4-2026 2:00 PM
Description
Introduction: Hearing loss is a prevalent chronic condition associated with substantial psychosocial consequences (Shukla et al., 2020). Traditional audiologic rehabilitation (AR) emphasizes communication strategies but often overlooks the patients' psychosocial needs. Group AR offers a supportive setting to address these challenges and provides an opportunity to integrate self-compassion training to promote emotional adjustment. The Mindful Self Compassion (MSC) is an evidence-based intervention, not widely explored in hearing care, encourages individuals to relate to their challenges with compassion and acceptance, supporting emotional adjustment in face of chronic conditions (Neff & Germer, 2012).
Purpose: This literature review examines the rationale for integrating self-compassion training, particularly the MSC framework, into group AR for adults with hearing loss to improve psychosocial outcomes. It also aims to inform audiology and other healthcare clinicians about the benefits of incorporating self-compassion strategies into chronic condition rehabilitation.
Methods: A narrative review was conducted using ASHA Evidence Maps and PubMed to identify peer-reviewed studies on self-compassion interventions for adults with chronic conditions. Articles were analyzed for emotional, behavioral, and psychosocial outcomes.
Results: Self-compassion training was associated with reduced anxiety and depression, fewer negative emotions, improved coping, and greater acceptance across chronic condition populations.
Discussion: Although self-compassion interventions are not common in AR, evidence from other clinical contexts suggests they may enhance emotional adjustment for individuals with hearing loss. Future research will evaluate the feasibility and measurable outcomes of incorporating self-compassion training into audiology care.
Recommended Citation
Gaddis, Miranda and Knoerzer, Brittany, "Compassion in Hearing Care: Expanding Audiologic Rehabilitation to Address Emotional Adjustment" (2026). School of Allied Health Professions Research Day. 9.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/ahrd/2026/posters/9
Compassion in Hearing Care: Expanding Audiologic Rehabilitation to Address Emotional Adjustment
Introduction: Hearing loss is a prevalent chronic condition associated with substantial psychosocial consequences (Shukla et al., 2020). Traditional audiologic rehabilitation (AR) emphasizes communication strategies but often overlooks the patients' psychosocial needs. Group AR offers a supportive setting to address these challenges and provides an opportunity to integrate self-compassion training to promote emotional adjustment. The Mindful Self Compassion (MSC) is an evidence-based intervention, not widely explored in hearing care, encourages individuals to relate to their challenges with compassion and acceptance, supporting emotional adjustment in face of chronic conditions (Neff & Germer, 2012).
Purpose: This literature review examines the rationale for integrating self-compassion training, particularly the MSC framework, into group AR for adults with hearing loss to improve psychosocial outcomes. It also aims to inform audiology and other healthcare clinicians about the benefits of incorporating self-compassion strategies into chronic condition rehabilitation.
Methods: A narrative review was conducted using ASHA Evidence Maps and PubMed to identify peer-reviewed studies on self-compassion interventions for adults with chronic conditions. Articles were analyzed for emotional, behavioral, and psychosocial outcomes.
Results: Self-compassion training was associated with reduced anxiety and depression, fewer negative emotions, improved coping, and greater acceptance across chronic condition populations.
Discussion: Although self-compassion interventions are not common in AR, evidence from other clinical contexts suggests they may enhance emotional adjustment for individuals with hearing loss. Future research will evaluate the feasibility and measurable outcomes of incorporating self-compassion training into audiology care.