HEARING LOSS AND SATİSFACTION OF HEARING AID IMPACT ON QUALITY OF LIFE IN GERİATRİC POPULATION
1İstanbul Anadolu Kuzey Kamu Hastaneler Birliği Üsküdar Devlet Hastanesi, KBB, İstanbul, Türkiye2Medipol Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Nöroloji Anabilim Dalı, İstanbul, Türkiye Objective: Presbycusis is a common disorder in the geriatric population. Several studies have shown that uncorrected hearing loss may contribute poorer quality of life,reduced social activity,depression, loss of cognitive functions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life of hearing impaired individuals before and after the hearing aid fittings. WHOQOL - Bref(World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire), HHİ-E (Hearing Handicap Inventory for Elderly), GDS (Geriatric Depression Scale) and IOI-HA (International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids) were used for the assessment.
Patients and Methods: 20 geriatric participants with hearing loss were included in the study. The patients were completed the WHOQOL – Bref, HHİ-E , GDS questionnaires before the using of hearing aids; and after the hearing aid fittings for a period of three months.They also answered IOI-HA questions.All scores were compared pre-fittings outcomes.
Results: There was an improvement in general quality of life, total HHIE , social and emotional scores. There was no statistically significant changes in GDS scores. IOI-HA which consists of benefit,residual activity limitations,satisfaction,residual participation restrictions, impact on the others and quality of life mean score was 4,12 ± 0,78.
Conclusion: Hearing aid adaptation was positively correlated with the quality of life in the elderly.
Keywords : Hearing loss, hearing aid, elderly, quality of life