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Hearing Aids and Quality of Life: A Psychological Perspective

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Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

This research assessed the relationship between hearing aid usage and quality of life in individuals with hearing impairment, exploring associated demographic and clinical factors.

Methodology

Data from 500 individuals at a tertiary care facility were collected over a year through medical records and an online questionnaire. Quality of life was gauged using WHOQOL-BREF and HHIE. Multiple linear regression analysed the correlation between hearing aid usage and quality of life, adjusting for age, gender, hearing loss severity, and socioeconomic factors.

Results

Descriptive statistics showed varying degrees of hearing impairment, socioeconomic status, hearing aid usage, and quality-of-life scores. Bivariate analyses found significant correlations between hearing impairment level, socioeconomic status, hearing aid usage, and quality of life. Linear regression highlighted a positive relationship between daily hearing aid usage duration and quality-of-life scores, even after adjusting for covariates. Variations in quality-of-life ratings were observed between hearing aid users and non-users, spanning different hearing loss levels and socioeconomic statuses. Subgroup analysis showed a positive correlation between hearing aid use and quality of life across age groups.

Conclusion

The study confirms the positive influence of hearing aids on the quality of life in hearing-impaired individuals, emphasizing the benefits of consistent use. Further studies should probe the specific domains and long-term adherence impacts.

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Data Statement

Data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. Due to the sensitive nature of the data and to maintain participant confidentiality, the data is not publicly available. Any requests for data access will be subject to ethical considerations and participant consent.

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Acknowledgements

Author extends gratitude to Dr. Kashi Birader for designing the study model and questionnaire, Dr. Sudhir for his efforts in data collection & Dr Angshuman Dutta for reviewing revision manuscript & providing suggestion. Our thanks also go to the hospital staff and the participating patients for their invaluable contributions to this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of ENT, Command Hospital Airforce Bangalore, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore, India

    Sanjay Kumar, Kashiroygoud Biradar & Sudheer Kumar Marlapudi

  2. Department of Ear, Nose, Throat - Head and Neck Surgery (ENT-HNS), Command Hospital Airforce, Bangalore, 560007, Karnataka, India

    Angshuman Dutta

Authors
  1. Sanjay Kumar
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  2. Kashiroygoud Biradar
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  3. Sudheer Kumar Marlapudi
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  4. Angshuman Dutta
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sanjay Kumar.

Ethics declarations

• No conflicts of interest.

• No research involving human participants or animals was conducted.

• The patient provided informed consent for publication of the case study.

• This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

• There are no material financial or non-financial interests to disclose for the authors.

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Kumar, S., Biradar, K., Marlapudi, S. et al. Hearing Aids and Quality of Life: A Psychological Perspective. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 76, 852–857 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-023-04297-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-023-04297-w

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