Article

PURPOSE: To study the quality of life (QoL) and psychosocial consequences in
terms of sick leave and audiological rehabilitation given to patients with severe
to profound hearing impairment. METHOD: A retrospective study of data on 2319
patients with severe to profound hearing impairment in The Swedish Quality
Register of Otorhinolaryngology, followed by a posted questionnaire including The
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). RESULTS:
The results indicate
greater levels of anxiety and depression among patients with severe or profound
hearing impairment than in the general population, and annoying tinnitus and
vertigo had strong negative effects on QoL. The proportion of sick leave differed
between the studied dimensions in the study. The proportion of patients who
received extended audiological rehabilitation was 38% in the present study.
CONCLUSIONS: Treatment focused on anxiety, depression, tinnitus and vertigo must
be given early in the rehabilitation process in patients with severe or profound
hearing impairment. Because sick leave differs greatly within this group of
patients, collaboration with the regional Social Insurance Agency is crucial part
of the rehabilitation. The study also shows that presently, only a small
proportion of patients in Sweden with severe to profound hearing impairment
receive extended audiological rehabilitation. Implications for Rehabilitation
Greater levels of anxiety and depression have been found among patients with
severe or profound hearing impairment than in the general population, and
annoying tinnitus and vertigo have strong negative effects on QoL in this group
of patients. Only a small proportion of patients with severe to profound hearing
impairment receive extended audiological rehabilitation today, including medical,
technical and psychosocial efforts. Extended audiological rehabilitation focused
on anxiety, depression, tinnitus and vertigo must be given, together with
technical rehabilitation, early in the rehabilitation process in patients with
severe or profound hearing impairment.

Langue : ANGLAIS