Occupational Stress in U.S. Audiologists

Abstract

Purpose The goal of this study was to explore interview data related to occupational stress in U.S. audiologists. This study is part of a larger project: The Lived Experience of the Audiologist, which seeks to develop a richer understanding of audiologists' lived experience via interview and survey research. Method Demographic and interview data related to occupational stress were examined from 28 virtual interviews of clinical audiologists in the United States. Qualitative data relative to workplace stressors were subjected to thematic analysis. Stress ratings were examined via descriptive statistics, correlation, and comparison with demographics. Results Self-ratings of average-day and worst-day stress were not related to work setting, years of experience, or U.S. region. Participant descriptions of workplace stressors yielded seven main themes: time, patients, administration, financial, lack of support, colleagues, and work–life balance. Some participants attributed stress response to personality traits. Conclusions Audiologists' quotes illustrate the human impact of stressors in the workplace. The most commonly reported workplace stressors were lack of time, patient-related issues, administration, and financial issues. Time and administration as common causes of stress were consistent with prior studies conducted in other countries; however, patient-related and financial stressors were more prominent stressors for U.S. audiologists. Stress ratings were not related to work setting, location, or years of experience in the current study. Participants often linked their perception of stress to personality traits, a phenomenon that has been explored as a factor in the exploration of occupational stress in other fields, but not in audiology. Future research in stress and burnout should examine personality traits in addition to extensive demographics.

Factors Affecting the Use of Speech Testing in Adult Audiology

“…Audiologists around the world report a lack of government funding for audiology services ( Goulios & Patuzzi, 2008 ). Previous research has also found time demands to be the highest stress factor for HHPs ( Emanuel, 2021 ; Severn et al, 2012 ), but some suggest these factors may affect more public sector clinicians than independent private clinicians ( Mott et al, 2004 ). The flexible resource management of the private sector is likely to impact the significant differences between private and public sector speech testing provision observed in this study and globally.…”

Burnout in U.S. Audiologists

“…Furthermore, recent research has suggested occupational stress may not be a function of work setting as much as it is a function of personality, that is, an individual's reaction to stress in general. 29 This hypothesis is yet to be examined critically; however, it is possible that both stress and burnout are more closely connected with personality traits than they are to demographics such as work setting. In the current study, participants who were concerned about the impact of OTC hearing aids had a significantly higher stress rating than participants who were not concerned.…”

“…31 Second, the nature of audiologists' perceptions of the pandemic at the time of this survey was that the pandemic would cause short-term, temporary changes. 29…”

How Audiology Alienates Transgender Audiologists

“…Most audiologists working in the field today provide direct patient care in a healthcare setting (Janota 2018). For clinical audiologists, a significant source of workplace stress is interpersonal conflict with patients that they perceive as demanding (Emanuel 2021; Severn et al 2012). All healthcare workers providing direct patient care no doubt encounter people they perceive as unkind from time to time.…”

“…Though audiology has been reported as one of the less stressful occupations in the United States (“Audiologist Ranks in Least-Stressful Jobs List,” 2016; CareerCast 2019), audiologists can experience significant work-related stress and burn-out. Conflict with both patients and colleagues cause much of the stress that audiologists experience (Emanuel 2021; Severn et al 2012). Not all audiologists are affected equally, however.…”