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(Re)habilitation and Counseling (C)

PP105 - Hearing Health Information and Social Media: Implications for Informational Counseling

POSTERS
Instructional Level: Fundamental

    Lead Presenter(s)

  • MH

    Margaret Henderson

    Undergraduate Student
    University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
    Richardson, Texas

    Disclosure(s): No financial or nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

    • Presenter(s)

  • NB

    Neva Braband

    University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
    Norman, Oklahoma

    Disclosure(s): No financial or nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

  • JR

    Julia Ross

    University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
    Savoy, Texas

    Disclosure(s): No financial or nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

  • MS

    Madelyn Steubing

    University of Oklahoma Health sciences center
    COLLEYVILLE, Texas

    Disclosure(s): No financial or nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

Abstract:
Social media networking sites may be sources of hearing healthcare information for people with hearing loss and their significant others. A cross-sectional survey was/will be conducted on hearing healthcare information from social media networking sites (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X [Twitter]). Over 300 retrieved social media posts were/will be evaluated using a rubric to classify and evaluate information. These sites are rife with ads and content is not evidence-based. However, social media networking sites offer opportunities for patient-to-patient information sharing and support. Results will be used to inform development of informational counseling techniques and materials available to attendees.

Summary:
Background Information
Many people do not know where to find information about hearing healthcare and may use social media or online social networking sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X (Twitter), YouTube, and so on. It has been found that Facebook, the most popular social media platform, 28% of health conversations support a health-related cause (Kanchan & Gaidhane, 2023). Social media may be a powerful public health influence by informing public policy, combating misinformation, promoting health, and behavioral change (Kanchan & Gaidhane, 2023). Alternatively, the public may fall victim to misinformation or duped into exploring interventions for hearing loss not supported by evidence. We aim to evaluate the most popular social media platforms regarding the type and validity of hearing health information and to develop a patient guide for use in informational counseling.

Type of Study
The study is a cross-sectional survey of social media sites.

Methods
A trained panel is using search terms (e.g., hearing loss, hearing aids, audiologist, deaf, deafness) in popular social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X [Twitter]) and a rubric to classify (patient-to-patient support, testimonial, public health information, and advertisement) and evaluate (utility, reading level, evidence-base, and usefulness) social media networking sites. Each content piece will be judged by two panelists, with disagreements settled by a third. Data collected will inform development of informational counseling tools to be used with people with hearing loss.

Conclusions
Over 300 sources of social media content were/will be evaluated. Preliminary results have indicated some negative aspects of hearing health information on social media platforms including being rife with ads, exceeding the recommended sixth-grade reading level, and a scarcity of evidence-based information. Positive aspects of seeking hearing health information on social media networking sites are sources of strong peer-to-peer healthcare through sharing of experiences, information, and support. The results of this review will inform development of approaches to and written materials for informational counseling.

References
Kanchan S, Gaidhane A. Social Media Role and Its Impact on Public Health: A Narrative Review. Cureus. 2023 Jan 13;15(1):e33737. doi: 10.7759/cureus.33737. PMID: 36793805; PMCID: PMC9925030.

Learning Objectives:

  • Upon completion, participants will be able to counsel patients in critically evaluating hearing healthcare information from social media platforms.