Perfil do profissional e da atuação dos fonoaudiólogos de Natal/RN em reabilitação auditiva

Abstract

Introduction: With the aging of the population, the growth of age-related hearing loss, and advancements in neuroscience, it would be natural to expect a proportional increase in studies related to patient-centered auditory rehabilitation, adopting a holistic approach. However, there are indications that clinical speech therapy practice persists in using the adaptation of Individual Hearing Aid as the sole tool in the auditory rehabilitation process. Considering the limited knowledge about the auditory rehabilitation process in adults, especially in the Brazilian context, it justifies the analysis of the profiles of speech therapists involved in this practice. Objective: To map the professional profile and practices in auditory rehabilitation of speech therapists in the audiology field in Natal/RN. Methodology: For data collection, various professionals were contacted through electronic means such as email, WhatsApp messages, and direct phone calls. After agreeing to participate in the research (Ethics Committee for Research: 5.444.1430), a formal email was sent containing the link to access the Informed Consent Form and the questionnaire. The responses were tabulated in a spreadsheet and analyzed descriptively and inductively with Fisher's Exact Test. Results: The sample consists of 19 speech therapists with ages ranging from 21 to 40 years, with a higher prevalence in those with specialization (52.6%). The years of experience in audiology ranged from one to 20 years. Among the participants, it is noteworthy that some specialize in specific areas of audiology. In the field of auditory rehabilitation, five (26.31%) professionals were identified, two of them exclusively working with adult and elderly rehabilitation, two exclusively with pediatric rehabilitation, and one with both pediatric and adult and elderly rehabilitation. Conclusion: The study revealed that more than half of the professionals have specialization as the highest level of their education, with a predominant presence in private institutions. The research indicated a notable association between rehabilitation and the adaptation of hearing devices, resulting in a lesser emphasis on therapy in auditory rehabilitation. However, statistical analysis reveals a consistent pattern of responses among professionals involved in auditory rehabilitation therapy.