Quality of life in elderly adults before and after hearing aid fitting

Maria Fernanda Capoani Garcia Mondelli,Patrícia Jorge Soalheiro De Souza

doi:10.1590/s1808-86942012000300010

Maria Fernanda Capoani Garcia Mondelli, Patrícia Jorge Soalheiro De Souza

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1808-86942012000300010

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Abstract

Presbycusis is a common disorder in the elderly, which causes hearing loss and may contribute to the development of some psychiatric disorders, leading to isolation due to communication difficulties in the social environment. ObjectiveTo identify through the WHOQOL (World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire), the quality of life of hearing impaired individuals before and after hearing aid fittings. MethodWe had 30 individuals with hearing loss, all over 60 years of age - patients from a Speech Therapy Clinic. The patients answered the WHOQOL questions without the use of hearing aids; and after the effective use of a sound amplification device for a period of three months they answered it again. The WHOQOL - Bref consists of 26 questions, two general quality-of-life questions and 24 associated with four aspects: physical, psychological, environmental and social relations. ResultsThere was a significant improvement in quality of life in general, as far as leisure activities were concerned, there were no major changes regarding the frequency of negative feelings; even after the hearing aid fitting, the patients continue to have such feelings. ConclusionThe use of hearing aids favored the overall quality of life of the individuals evaluated.

Highlights

There are changes which make it difficult for the individual to adapt himself to the environment, exactly because of the lack of conditions which favor biopsychosocial aging
There was a significant improvement in quality of life in general, as far as leisure activities were concerned, there were no major changes regarding the frequency of negative feelings; even after the hearing aid fitting, the patients continue to have such feelings
The use of hearing aids favored the overall quality of life of the individuals evaluated

Summary

Introduction

There are changes which make it difficult for the individual to adapt himself to the environment, exactly because of the lack of conditions which favor biopsychosocial aging. The heart changes in function, the organs of the senses are impaired[1]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion