Barriers and Facilitators to Implementing a Self-Efficacy–Based Auditory Rehabilitation Protocol in Audiology Clinical Practice

PURPOSE: Hearing aid self-efficacy (HASE) refers to an individual's belief in their ability to effectively use hearing aids (HA). Researchers have demonstrated the positive impacts of HASE on success with HAs and auditory rehabilitation (AR). They have suggested structured protocols to incorporate HASE in AR. However, a few clinicians are implementing it in their practice. This study identified barriers and facilitators to implementing a structured self-efficacy-based AR (SEBAR) protocol in clinical practice. METHOD: An interpretive phenomenological qualitative approach was used. Five audiologists aged 26-36 years completed semistructured interviews designed around the Capability Opportunity Motivation-Behavior (COM-B) model. RESULTS: Six shared themes emerged, aligning with four of the six COM-B components. Barriers identified included lack of knowledge and training among audiologists, time constraints in clinical setup, and lack of flexibility to adopt new protocols. Facilitators included intrinsic motivation to improve care, supporting patient testimonials, and integration of the protocol into billable services. CONCLUSION: A collaborative effort among audiologists and other stakeholders such as researchers, educators, and policy makers could enhance implementation of the SEBAR protocol in clinical practice. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.31378597.