ASSOCIATION BETWEEN HEARING IMPAIRMENT AND MARITAL SATISFACTION AMONG HEARING IMPAIRED MARRIED INDIVIDUALS IN ISINYA KAJIADO COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Hearing impairment is frequently perceived negatively as it emphasizes what some humans are challenged with, and as such is regarded as a hidden disability because it is not visible and may pass unnoticed unlike the physical disability. This study investigated the association between hearing impairment and marital satisfaction among hearing impaired married individuals in Isinya, Kajiado County, Kenya. The study addressed the following objectives: To assess the levels of hearing impairment among hearing impaired married individuals, to measure the levels of marital satisfaction among hearing impaired married individuals, and to establish the association between hearing impairment and marital satisfaction among hearing impaired married individuals in Isinya, Kajiado County, Kenya. The social model theory and the social exchange theory informed the study. The sample size of this study was 151 hearing impaired married individuals. The study used the correlational research design. The study made use of simple random sampling technique. The Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults (HHIA) and the Couples Satisfaction Scale (CSS) were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics specifically frequency and percentage, and inferential statistics such as the Pearson correlation coefficient and Chi-Square. The study utilized SPSS version 25 for data analysis. Findings indicated that 57% (n = 92) of the participants had significant hearing impairment, 40.4% (n = 64) of the participants were at mild-moderate hearing impairment. It was also found that most (73%, n = 118) of the participants were at low level of marital satisfaction, 21.4% (n = 40) of the participants had moderate marital satisfaction, while 5.6% (n = 2) of the participants scored high marital satisfaction. The study established that there was a negative significant relationship (r = -.015, p = .045 ≥ 0.05) between hearing impairment and marital satisfaction among hearing impaired married individuals in Isinya Kajiado County, Kenya. The study recommended that the hearingimpaired married individuals may make effort to share their struggles and also seek psychological support, especially among those with significant hearing impairment and those with low marital satisfaction.