'All of a sudden, you know, you can't go to these services, because of the risk of infection': Audiological service considerations at residential care homes for older persons during COVID-19.
Victor De Andrade, Rethabile R M Landman
PMID 36073073WHAT IT FOUND
Managers reported that mask-wearing made speech unintelligible for residents with hearing loss.
To cope, staff spoke louder, risking privacy, or removed masks, breaching infection control. Audiological services were deprioritised due to cost and fear of hospital infection, leaving residents isolated.
Key findings
01Masks significantly degraded speech intelligibility, forcing staff to choose between infection control and communication.
02Audiological services were deprioritised in favour of life-sustaining medical care and COVID-19 protection.
03Financial constraints and fear of hospital infection prevented residents from accessing hearing aid repairs or replacements.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study only interviewed managers, not the residents themselves or the audiologists, so it reflects administrative perspectives on service gaps rather than patient experience. The sample was small (9 participants) and limited to Johannesburg, so findings may not apply to rural areas or other provinces. Data collection occurred during a specific lockdown period (Delta variant), so the intensity of restrictions may not reflect current or future pandemic phases.
Declared interests
The authors declare no financial or personal relationships that could have inappropriately influenced the work.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the staff's removal of masks or shouting as recommended practice. The study reports these as desperate coping mechanisms that breached infection control or privacy norms, not as effective clinical strategies.