Origins and Pawns Scales: A Pilot Study Assessing Perception of Control in Adults with Hearing Problems

Abstract

Purpose: The main purpose of this pilot study was to determine if a content analysis of locus of control (Origins and Pawns Scales) can be used reliably with a population of older adults with hearing impairment. A second purpose of this pilot study was to determine the relationship between locus of control using this content analysis and audiologic variables such as hearing aid adoption and self-perceived hearing handicap. Finally, the third purpose of this pilot study was to determine if there were any differences between older men’s and women’s perception of locus of control as measured by this content analysis. Methods: A total of 30 adults with hearing impairment between the ages of 52 and 71 years participated in this study. Information regarding hearing ability, participant demographics, hearing aid adoption, and self-perceived hearing handicap were obtained. To obtain data for the content analysis, participants were required to respond to a single prompting question, which was transcribed verbatim and coded according to the refined Origins and Pawns scoring guidelines. Results: The content analysis of locus of control (Origins and Pawns Scales) had high internal consistency and intra-class correlations. Additionally, participants who adopted hearing aids had significantly higher origins scores than those who did not adopt. Conversely, participants who did not adopt hearing aids had higher pawns scores, however this finding was not statistically significant. There was no significant relationship between Origins and Pawns Scales and self-perceived hearing handicap nor were any gender differences found. Conclusions: Results of this study indicate that the Origins and Pawns Scales can be used reliably to assess the perception of locus of control for older adults with hearing impairment who present for clinical services. Both the Origins and Pawns Scales differentiated older adults who adopted hearing aids from those who did not. The Origins and Pawns Scales may prove to assist clinicians in addressing hearing aid adoption rates through targeting perceptions of control.