Abstract
Unilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss (USNHL) can present with varying symptoms apart from hearing loss, such as dizziness and tinnitus. Impaired sound localization, inability to identify speech in noise and decreased temporal summation can significantly impair the daily activities of an individual. This along with dizziness and tinnitus affects the physical, mental and social health as well. The purpose of this study is to assess and correlate the spectrum of handicap faced by USNHL patients. Validated questionnaires were used to evaluate handicap in 42 USNHL patients due to hearing loss (Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults–HHIA), dizziness (Dizziness Handicap Inventory–DHI) and tinnitus (Tinnitus Handicap Inventory–THI). These handicaps were then correlated with each other using Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Statistically significant strong positive correlation of HHIA was seen with DHI (rho = 0.60, p ≤ 0.001) and THI (rho = 0.74, p ≤ 0.001). Similarly, strong positive correlation was seen between emotional subscales of HHIA and DHI (rho = 0.73, p ≤ 0.001). USNHL can lead to significant emotional and social handicap which is compounded in the presence of hearing loss, dizziness and tinnitus. These handicaps are strongly correlated to one another. Hence, a holistic approach is needed for USNHL rehabilitation. There exists a need to develop a comprehensive measure to assess and grade the handicap faced by these patients.
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Concept: Kartikesh Gupta, Saurabh Varshney, Nongthombam Surjalata Devi. Protocol Design: Rachit Sood, Kartikesh Gupta, Saurabh Varshney. Senior Supervisors: Kartikesh Gupta, Amit Kumar Tyagi. Literature search: Rachit Sood, Kartikesh Gupta, Saurabh Varshney, Amit Kumar, Amit Kumar Tyagi. Data acquisition: Rachit Sood, Amit Kumar, Amit Kumar Tyagi. Manuscript preparation: Rachit Sood, Amit Kumar, Amit Kumar Tyagi. Manuscript editing: Kartikesh Gupta, Amit Kumar, Nongthombam Surjalata Devi. Manuscript review: Saurabh Varshney, Amit Kumar Tyagi, Nongthombam Surjalata Devi.
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Sood, R., Gupta, K., Varshney, S. et al. Spectrum of Handicap in Unilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 74 (Suppl 3), 4177–4182 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-021-02916-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-021-02916-y