The role of generic health-related quality of life measures in establishing audiological rehabilitation outcomes

Objective: To review the status of generic functional health measures used with hearing-impaired adults and to summarize the findings of studies that have utilized these outcome measures to assess the benefit of amplification. Design: Four basic generic quality of life measures used with the hearing-impaired population for determining hearing aid benefit are reviewed and discussed. The measures include the Sickness Impact Profile, the Self Evaluation of Life Function, the Medical Outcomes Study, and the Dartmouth COOP Functional Health Assessment Charts. Results: The review of studies concerned with quality of life measures revealed that present day functional health status tools lack the necessary sensitivity to detect clinically meaningful improvements in patients with hearing impairment. Conclusions: Although we have good reason to believe that hearing aids improve quality of life, available functional health status measures lack the appropriate sensitivity to be used for assessing the benefit of amplification in individuals with hearing impairment. There is an urgent need for additional research to address this important area.