137 - The Social and Emotional Consequences of Hearing Loss and How Clinicians Can Better Address Them with Bec Bennett, PhD, Brain and Hearing Research Lead, Ear Science Institute Australia

Researchers are beginning to better understand the lived experiences of persons with hearing loss. In this episode of This Week in Hearing, Bec Bennett reviews various coping strategies associated with untreated hearing loss, the limitations of amplification for improving overall well-being and how clinicians can better address the emotional and social consequences of hearing loss with her newly developed AIMER approach. Articles discussed in this interview: *Bennett, R.J., et al., Coping with the social challenges and emotional distress associated with 685 hearing loss: a qualitative investigation using Leventhal’s self-regulation theory. 686 International Journal of Audiology, 2022. 61(5): p. 353-364. *Bennett, R.J., et al., How do audiologists respond to symptoms of mental illness in the 698 audiological setting? Three case vignettes. Ear and Hearing, 2020. 41(6): p. 1675-1683. *Bennett, R.J., et al., Perspectives on Mental Health Screening in the Audiology Setting: A 722 Focus Group Study Involving Clinical and Nonclinical Staff. American Journal of Audiology, 723 2021. 30(4): p. 980-993*Bennett, R.J., et al., Knowledge, beliefs, and practices of Australian audiologists in addressing 728 the mental health needs of adults with hearing loss. American journal of audiology, 2020. 729 29(2): p. 129- 142. 730 21. *Bennett, R.J., et al., Addressing emotional and psychological problems associated with 731 hearing loss: Perspective of consumer and community representatives. American Journal of 732 Audiology, 2021. 30(4): p. 1130-1138. *Bennett, R.J., et al Evaluation of the AIMER intervention and its implementation targeting the provision of mental wellbeing support within the audiology setting: a RE-AIM analysis. Submitted for publication