Abstract
The purpose of this study was to elucidate the experience of the elderly with presbycusis in an acute care hospital. Fifteen patients responded to semi-structured interviews. Interviews were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim and analyzed by qualitative description. The results allowed eight categories to be extracted from a total of 28 subcategories. The elderly with presbycusis had some difficulties in acute care hospital : "can't have their way because of hospitalization", "are left behind by caregiver and their families and other patients", "can't have a relaxed time by chatting", "feel uneasy always". However although they had some difficulties, they tried to adapt themselves to hospitalization : "try to keep to themselves", for example, trying to avoid talking to other people, "try to understand somehow", for example, that they need considerations by telling about their impairment. And they were supported by "having some support except for their hearing", like their sight and their family's help, and "feeling the considerations of caregiver and their families and other patients". "Try to understand somehow" is characteristic of the experience of the elderly with presbycusis in acute care hospital, because generally, people with deafness are unwilling to tell that they have impairment. These results suggested the need to support the elderly with presbycusis to be able to understand, to help them not to feel abaondoned, and to communicate with them for their peace of mind.
