OBJECTIVE: Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is defined as >30dB of hearing loss in at least three contiguous test frequencies occurring within 3days or less and may be accompanied by tinnitus and vertigo. Despite the well-documented association between hearing loss and depressive symptoms, research on the emotional distress after SSNHL receives only scant attention. DESIGN: The current study sought to (1) investigate the degree of self-reported mental distress in patients with SSNHL after a median follow-up period of 1year, (2) investigate the association between mental distress, hearing recovery, and tinnitus. STUDY SAMPLE: 147 patients admitted for sudden hearing loss and diagnosed with SSNHL. RESULTS: Patients who recovered from SSNHL reported significantly less depressive symptoms. Patients with tinnitus, compared to those without tinnitus, reported more depressive thoughts and feelings, more disruptive activities and personal relationships, and more physical symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that SSNHL patients who developed continuous tinnitus had a higher rate of greater emotional distress than those without tinnitus. Further research on the consequences of different risk factors specific to SSNHL, their impact on psychological well-being, and the development of better treatment strategies is needed to lessen the burdens associated with SSNHL.
OBJECTIVE: Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is defined as >30dB of hearing loss in at least three contiguous test frequencies occurring within 3days or less and may be accompanied by tinnitus and vertigo. Despite the well-documented association between hearing loss and depressive symptoms, research on the emotional distress after SSNHL receives only scant attention. DESIGN: The current study sought to (1) investigate the degree of self-reported mental distress in patients with SSNHL after a median follow-up period of 1year, (2) investigate the association between mental distress, hearing recovery, and tinnitus. STUDY SAMPLE: 147 patients admitted for sudden hearing loss and diagnosed with SSNHL. RESULTS:Patients who recovered from SSNHL reported significantly less depressive symptoms. Patients with tinnitus, compared to those without tinnitus, reported more depressive thoughts and feelings, more disruptive activities and personal relationships, and more physical symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that SSNHL patients who developed continuous tinnitus had a higher rate of greater emotional distress than those without tinnitus. Further research on the consequences of different risk factors specific to SSNHL, their impact on psychological well-being, and the development of better treatment strategies is needed to lessen the burdens associated with SSNHL.
Authors: Jong-Yeup Kim; Jong Won Lee; Myoungsuk Kim; Min Jae Kim; Dong-Kyu Kim Journal: JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg Date: 2018-07-01 Impact factor: 6.223
Authors: Nadera Ahmadzai; Shaun Kilty; Wei Cheng; Leila Esmaeilisaraji; Dianna Wolfe; James P Bonaparte; David Schramm; Elizabeth Fitzpatrick; Vincent Lin; Becky Skidmore; David Moher; Brian Hutton Journal: PLoS One Date: 2019-09-09 Impact factor: 3.240