The Quality of Life in the Elderly with Acquired Single-Sided Deafness

Abstract

This study was aimed at assessing the negative impact of an acquired single-sided deafness on quality of life of the elderly. Prospective analysis of outpatient records was carried out to identify elderly patients with single-sided deafness using pure tone audiometry. The main inclusion criteria were age over 60, a 90 dB or higher threshold of an affected ear, a 30 dB or less threshold of an intact ear, and an acquired single-sided hearing loss with sudden onset and a deafness duration of less than 5 years. Taking the inclusion criteria into account, two groups were formed: the main group with single-sided deaf patients (n = 25) and the control group of patients with normal hearing (n = 25). All participants were surveyed with the PSQ, HHIE, and THI questionnaires. Some changes in psychological status in the group of patients with single-sided deafness in comparison with the group of normal hearing participants were revealed. The scores of the questionnaires showed increased stress and anxiety levels and deterioration in their quality of life. Patients with single-sided deafness complained about severe tinnitus in an affected ear, worse intelligibility of speech in a noisy environment and a constant need to adapt to the different acoustic situations that in turn affected psychoemotional homeostasis badly, intensifying the severity of stress, and their quality of life.