Quality of life in persons with hearing loss: a study of patients referred to an audiological service

Objective: To investigate the relationship between hearing loss (HL) and general quality of life (QoL) in adults seeking hearing aids (HAs). Design: The patients completed the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire’s general part and a questionnaire measuring self-assessed communication ability (Abbreviated Profile of hearing Aid Benefit—APHAB). These responses were compared with EORTC scores from a general population and patients with former head and neck cancer. Study sample: One-hundred and fifty-eight adults with HL were recruited prior to hearing aid (HA) fitting with one half seeking renewal of their HA. Results: General QoL scores among patients with HL were similar to those in the general population, but higher than in many chronic serious diseases. Patients with unilateral HL reported slightly worse social function and more fatigue than patients with bilateral HL. Self-assessed communication ability correlated with general QoL scores. Also, we found that best ear pure tone average (PTA), cognitive and physical QoL function predicted APHAB scores. Conclusion: In the investigated HL group, general QoL scores seem to be relatively close to those seen in the general population.

【研究目的】探讨寻求助听器（hearing aids, HAs）的成年人群中，听力损失（hearing loss, HL）与整体生活质量（quality of life, QoL）之间的关联。【研究设计】受试者需完成欧洲癌症研究与治疗组织（European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer, EORTC）生活质量问卷的通用模块，以及用于评估自我报告沟通能力的《助听器获益简况量表》（Abbreviated Profile of hearing Aid Benefit—APHAB）。将本次收集的应答数据与普通人群及既往头颈部癌症患者的EORTC问卷得分进行对比分析。【研究样本】本研究共招募158名存在听力损失的成人受试者，均在助听器验配前入组，其中半数受试者需要更换现有助听器。【研究结果】听力损失患者的整体生活质量得分与普通人群相近，但高于多数慢性重症患者。单侧听力损失患者相较于双侧听力损失患者，其社交功能评分略低，疲劳感更为显著。自我报告的沟通能力与整体生活质量得分呈显著相关。此外，本研究发现，受试者最优耳纯音听阈均值（pure tone average, PTA）、认知功能及躯体生活质量水平可有效预测助听器获益简况量表的得分。【研究结论】在本次研究纳入的听力损失人群中，整体生活质量得分与普通人群相对接近。