Journal
DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION
Volume 37, Issue 20, Pages 1849-1856Publisher
TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
DOI: 10.3109/09638288.2014.982833
Keywords
EuroQoL 5D; sick leave; the hospital anxiety and depression scale; the problems impact rating scale; tinnitus; vertigo
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Funding
- Regional Research Council in Uppsala - Orebro
- Hearing Foundation in Sweden
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Purpose: To study the quality of life (QoL) and psychosocial consequences in terms of sick leave and audiological rehabilitation given to patients with severe to profound hearing impairment. Method: A retrospective study of data on 2319 patients with severe to profound hearing impairment in The Swedish Quality Register of Otorhinolaryngology, followed by a posted questionnaire including The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Results: The results indicate greater levels of anxiety and depression among patients with severe or profound hearing impairment than in the general population, and annoying tinnitus and vertigo had strong negative effects on QoL. The proportion of sick leave differed between the studied dimensions in the study. The proportion of patients who received extended audiological rehabilitation was 38% in the present study. Conclusions: Treatment focused on anxiety, depression, tinnitus and vertigo must be given early in the rehabilitation process in patients with severe or profound hearing impairment. Because sick leave differs greatly within this group of patients, collaboration with the regional Social Insurance Agency is crucial part of the rehabilitation. The study also shows that presently, only a small proportion of patients in Sweden with severe to profound hearing impairment receive extended audiological rehabilitation.
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