Promoting Self-Efficacy in Patient-Centered Audiologic Rehabilitation for Adults with Hearing Loss

Self-efficacy is defined as an individual's judgments of their capabilities to perform certain skills necessary to attain a desired outcome or behavior (Bandura, 1986). There is a vast literature across a large range of health conditions that highlights the importance of self-efficacy in the management of chronic health conditions including behaviors related to managing hearing loss and tinnitus (Smith & West, 2006a). The main findings from these studies indicate that patients with higher self-efficacy for managing their chronic health condition tend to be more adherent to treatment plans and have better outcomes than patients with lower self-efficacy. This paper reviews self-efficacy theory and how self-efficacy can be applied to audiologic rehabilitation interventions. Emerging evidence showing that self-efficacy is an essential factor to consider in audiologic rehabilitation for adults is summarized. The way in which individuals formulate self-efficacy beliefs is described and the techniques clinicians can use to promote self-efficacy in audiologic rehabilitation are discussed.