Quality of Life in Children With Unilateral Hearing Loss: A Pilot Study

ObjectiveTo evaluate the treatments’ consequences for unilateral hearing loss in children.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis (CRD42018109417). The MEDLINE, CENTRAL, ISRCTN and ClinicalTrials databases were searched between September 2018 and May 2019. Articles were screened and data were collected independently by two authors following the Cochrane and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis guidelines. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane tool, the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, the National Institute of Health, USA tool and considering the risk of confounding. In the studies with the lowest risk of bias, a meta-analysis was conducted.InterventionsValidated hearing rehabilitation devices.Patients6–15 years old children with moderate to profound unilateral hearing loss.Main outcome measuresThe primary study outcome was children’s quality of life. Academic performances were studied as an additional outcome.Results731 unique articles were identified from the primary search. Of these, 18 articles met the Population, Intervention, Control, Outcomes and Study design selection criteria. In the eight studies with the lowest risk of bias, two meta-analysis were conducted. There was not enough data on academic results to conduct a meta-analysis. In 73 children included in a fixed effect meta-analysis (two studies), no effect of treatment could be shown (g=−0.20, p=0.39). In 61 children included in a random-effect meta-analysis (six studies), a strong positive effect of hearing treatment on quality of life was demonstrated (g=1.32, p<0.05).ConclusionsThe treatment of unilateral hearing loss seems to improve children’s quality of life. Further research is needed to identify the most effective treatment and its corresponding indications.

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Effect of Cochlear Implantation on Quality of Life in Adults with Unilateral Hearing Loss

Audiology and Neurotology ◽

10.1159/000484079 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 22 (4-5) ◽

pp. 259-271 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Margaret T. Dillon ◽

Emily Buss ◽

Meredith A. Rooth ◽

English R. King ◽

Ellen J. Deres ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Hearing Loss ◽

Speech Perception ◽

Cochlear Implantation ◽

Normal Hearing ◽

Unilateral Hearing Loss ◽

Behavioral Measures ◽

Speech Perception In Noise ◽

Contralateral Ear

Objective: Patients with moderate-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss in 1 ear and normal hearing in the contralateral ear, known as unilateral hearing loss (UHL) or single-sided deafness (SSD), may experience improved quality of life with the use of a cochlear implant (CI) in the affected ear. Quality of life assessment before and after implantation may reveal changes to aspects of hearing beyond those explicitly evaluated with behavioral measures. Methods: The present report completed 2 experiments investigating quality of life outcomes in CI recipients with UHL. The first experiment assessed quality of life during the 1st year of device use with 3 questionnaires: the Speech, Spatial, and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ), the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB), and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory. Twenty subjects were evaluated preoperatively and 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-activation. Quality of life results were compared over the study period using traditional scoring methods and the SSQ pragmatic subscales. Subscales specific to localization and speech perception in noise were compared to behavioral measures at the preoperative and 12-month intervals. The 2nd experiment evaluated quality of life preoperatively and at the 12-month interval for CI recipients with UHL and CI recipients with bilateral hearing loss, including conventional CI users and those listening with electric-acoustic stimulation (EAS). The 3 cohorts differed in CI candidacy criteria, including the amount of residual hearing in the contralateral ear. Results: For subjects with moderate-to-profound UHL, receipt of a CI significantly improved quality of life, with benefits noted as early as 1 month after initial activation. The UHL cohort reported less perceived difficulty at the pre- and postoperative intervals than the conventional CI and EAS cohorts, which may be due to the presence of the normal-hearing ear. Each group experienced a significant benefit in quality of life on the APHAB with CI use. Conclusions: Cochlear implantation in cases of substantial UHL may offer significant improvements in quality of life. Quality of life measures revealed a reduction in perceived tinnitus severity and subjective improvements in speech perception in noise, spatial hearing, and listening effort. While self-report of difficulties were lower for the UHL cohort than the conventional CI and EAS cohorts, subjects in all 3 groups reported an improvement in quality of life with CI use.

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Untreated Vestibular Schwannoma: Vertigo Is a Powerful Predictor Forhealth-Related Quality of Life

Neurosurgery ◽

10.1227/01.neu.0000219838.80931.6b ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 59 (1) ◽

pp. 67-76 ◽

Cited By ~ 91

Author(s):

Erling Myrseth ◽

Per Møller ◽

Tore Wentzel-Larsen ◽

Frederik Goplen ◽

Morten Lund-Johansen

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Hearing Loss ◽

Vestibular Schwannoma ◽

Short Form ◽

Unilateral Hearing Loss ◽

Case Report Form ◽

Short Form 36 ◽

Glasgow Benefit Inventory ◽

Sf 36

Abstract OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to characterise the relation between quality of life (QOL) and the four major complaints (hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo and unsteadiness) caused by unilateral vestibular schwannoma (versus) in a cohort of well-characterised untreated patients. METHODS One hundred and ninety-nine consecutive patients (91 men, 108 women) with a mean age of 56.9 years were studied prospectively during the 4-year period 2001–2004. The average time span from symptom onset to the radiological diagnosis was 4.2 years. The patients were subject to a standardised examination including MRI, evaluation of hearing acuity, balance function by stabilometry, and a visual analogue scale (VAS) self-evaluation of tinnitus and vertigo. Furthermore, the patients responded to two questionnaires, Short-Form 36 (SF-36) and Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI)). A reference population was recruited from 80 adult persons who visited Haukeland University Hospital as non-patients or non-staff members. All data were recorded prospectively in a customised case report form. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS software. RESULTS The response rates of the Short-Form 36 and Glasgow Benefit Inventoryquestionnaires were 91.5 and 89.9%, respectively. According to the SF-36 questionnaire the patients scored significantly below that of expected norms with exception of physical function and mental health. Patients report negative benefit on the general and physical sections of the GBI questionnaire. Regression analysis showed that vertigo had a strong negative impact on QOL, whilst unilateral hearing loss and tinnitus had less impact on QOL. CONCLUSION Vertigo is the symptom causing the most pronounced negative effect on QOL in patients with versus The more frequent versus-symptoms unilateral hearing loss and tinnitus seem to be less important in the patients' perception of QOL evaluated by the questionnaires used in this study. If vertigo could be relieved by treatment, this symptom should be more in focus when discussing treatment options in small to medium sized versus

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Evaluation of quality of life in adults with unilateral hearing loss and bilateral mild sensorineural hearing loss

Praxis of Otorhinolaryngology ◽

10.5606/kbbu.2016.43534 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Levent Küfeciler

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Hearing Loss ◽

Sensorineural Hearing Loss ◽

Sensorineural Hearing ◽

Unilateral Hearing Loss

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205 The Effects of Acquired Hearing Loss in Later Life - A Pilot Study

Age and Ageing ◽

10.1093/ageing/afz103.123 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 48 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. iii17-iii65

Author(s):

Amy Walsh ◽

Amr El Refaie ◽

Anna Kingston ◽

Gerrie O'Grady ◽

Siobhán Laoide-Kemp

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Hearing Loss ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Later Life ◽

Well Being ◽

Acquired Hearing Loss ◽

Rich Data

Abstract Background Acquired hearing loss (AHL) is defined as a hearing loss which is acquired after birth or at any other time in one’s life. In Ireland one in every twelve adults has a permanent hearing loss as a result of ageing or exposure to noise. Statistical findings are consistent with people identified with hearing loss in later life having a corresponding higher risk of cognitive decline. The pilot study aimed to investigate the experience of members of a deaf association who had been diagnosed with AHL in later life. This is the first time this particular group has been surveyed in Ireland. Methods A qualitative research design was used. The information was gathered using an open-ended questionnaire which was distributed to 30 participants. Rich data was extracted and analysed using thematic analysis (Braun and Clarke 2006). Results 12 members of the deaf association responded to the questionnaire. From these responses four themes were identified: emotional well-being, management strategies & rehabilitation, promoting awareness and alienation. This study indicated that AHL can have a detrimental effect on people in later life. Conclusion There is irrefutable evidence to suggest that the effect of AHL in later life exceeds the effect on hearing alone and extends to emotional and physical well-being as well as overall quality of life. The pilot study demonstrates the urgent need for a far-reaching study to evaluate the effect of AHL in later life on the Irish population, its impact on quality of life and cognitive decline while highlighting the need for community awareness and understanding.

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