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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Hearing impairment

Feasibility of a Low-Cost Hearing Screening in Rural Indiana
Examines the feasibility of a low-cost telephone administered hearing test in rural Indiana and identifies challenges, barriers, and implementation strategies associated with the telephone hearing test. Determines if a focus group can change the hearing health attitudes of rural residents.
Author(s): Khalid M. Khan, Sylvanna L. Bielko, Priscilla A. Barnes, Sydney S. Evans, Anna L. K. Main
Citation: BMC Public Health, 17, 715
Date: 09/2017
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A Hearing Loss Prevention Outreach Program for Farmers and Motorsports Enthusiasts
Discusses the effectiveness of a hearing loss prevention outreach program distributing ear plugs at a national truck and tractor pull event in rural Tomah, Wisconsin to encourage hearing protection usage in occupational and recreational activities.
Author(s): Melanie Buhr-Lawler
Citation: Seminars in Hearing, 38(2), 212-222
Date: 05/2017
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Effects of Interventions on Use of Hearing Protectors among Farm Operators: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Compares the effectiveness of interventions designed to promote hearing protector device (HPD) use among adult farm workers 18 or older and who active in production at least 20 hours per week. Participants were assigned to one of 5 intervention groups including interactive web-based information with or without an HPD, static web-based information with or without a mailed HPDs, or an assortment of HPDs only.
Author(s): Marjorie C. McCullagh, Tanima Banerjee, Michael A. Cohen, James J. Yang
Citation: International Journal of Audiology, 55, S3–S12.
Date: 02/2016
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Pediatric Hearing Healthcare in Kentucky's Appalachian Primary Care Setting
Examines rural primary care providers' newborn hearing screening practices and experience with early hearing diagnosis and intervention programs in Appalachian Kentucky.
Author(s): Matthew L. Bush, David Alexander, Bryce Noblitt, Cathy Lester, Jennifer B. Shinn
Citation: Journal of Community Health, 40(4), 762-768
Date: 08/2015
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Eight Step Advocacy Plan for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Survivors of Sexual Assault: A Guide for Rural Dual/Multi-Service Advocates
Guide for rural sexual assault advocates, with information on providing appropriate services and identifying accommodations in services and changes in technology.
Author(s): Leah Green, Petty Chicoine, Stephanie Mathis, Jennifer Upah-Kyes
Date: 2015
Sponsoring organization: Resource Sharing Project
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Assessment of Appalachian Region Pediatric Hearing Healthcare Disparities and Delays
Reports on a study to analyze the timeliness of diagnostic and rehabilitative services for children with severe hearing loss in rural areas of Appalachia which may postpone or delay cochlear implantation and other intervention services.
Author(s): Matthew L. Bush, Mariel Osetinsky, Jennifer B. Shinn, et al.
Citation: Laryngoscope, 124(7), 1713-1717
Date: 07/2014
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Delays in Diagnosis of Congenital Hearing Loss in Rural Children
Analyzes Kentucky's newborn hearing-screening program data to determine the frequency of congenital hearing loss for both rural Appalachia and non-Appalachia regions of the state. Includes Appalachia and non-Appalachia hearing loss data by the number of births, failed newborns screenings, types of hearing loss, percent of families obtaining diagnostic testing following a failed screening test, and children enrolled in an early intervention program.
Author(s): Matthew L. Bush, Kristin Bianchi, Cathy Lester, et al.
Citation: Journal of Pediatrics, 164(2), 393-397
Date: 02/2014
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Information Gaps on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Population: A Background Paper
Presents the relevant issues regarding the mental health information needs of deaf and hard of hearing populations, particularly in rural America.
Date: 05/2006
Sponsoring organization: Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education
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Invest in Your Health
Training curriculum for use by agricultural educators of young adults working on farms. Includes 7 modules covering various agricultural health and safety topics. Access the curriculum by creating a free account and register for the Invest in Your Health series.
Sponsoring organization: AgriSafe Network
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Mapping Hearing Loss in the United States
Interactive map displaying estimated rates of hearing loss by state and county. Allows filtering by severity, age group, race and ethnicity, gender, and more. Provides overlays of audiologists per capita, self-reported disabilities, high-risk occupations, sociodemographics, income and poverty, and prosperity. Utilizes data from an associated study, The Prevalence of Bilateral Hearing Loss in the United States in 2019: A Small Area Estimation Modeling Approach for Obtaining National, State, and County Level Estimates by Demographic Subgroup.
Additional links: Data Highlights
Sponsoring organizations: NORC at the University of Chicago, Sound Check
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