Association of Quality of Life with Tinnitus Severity and Degree of Hearing Loss: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v76iSUPPL-1.10574Keywords:
Hearing, Functional Index, Loss, Quality, TinnitusAbstract
Objective: To assess perceptions of quality of life with and without hearing loss among patients with tinnitus.
Study Design: Comparative Cross-Sectional Study.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of ENT, Combined Military Hospital, Pakistan, from Nov 2022 to May 2023.
Methodology: Patients were divided into two groups: Group-A (n = 85) without hearing loss and Group-B (n = 85) with complaints of hearing loss. The primary variables studied were the median TFI scores between the two groups, examining the impact on quality of life. Secondary variable studied was the relationship between tinnitus and hearing loss.
Results: Median TFI scores were 36.00 (26.00) in Group-A versus 61.00 (14.00) in Group-B (p<0.001). Impact on the quality of life (QOL) as assessed through scores submitted by patients revealed no problem was faced in 02(2.4%) versus 00(0%) patients between both groups, small problem in quality of life were seen in 28(32.9%) versus 00(0%) patients between both groups, moderate quality of life deterioration was seen in 39(45.9%) versus 21(24.7%) patients, big problems in quality of life were reported by 16(18.8%) versus 56(65.9%) patients in both groups and very big problems in quality of life were reported by 00(0%) versus 08(9.4%) patients between Group-A and Group-B (p<0.001)
Conclusion: The study concluded that severity of tinnitus is associated with poor functional scores, with a strong association with the severity of hearing loss, requiring step-wise screening, work-up, and follow-up for managing complications earlier and improving the overall quality of life
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