Tinnitus, quality of life and emotional issues of hearing aids users

Abstract

Introduction: Tinnitus symptom can provoke different reactions in the subjects, being harmful to the quality of life and being able to generate emotional changes. Objective: To evaluate a relation between the presence of symptoms of anxiety and depression, quality of life and severity of tinnitus in the elderly, users of hearing aids. To evaluate a relation between the presence of anxiety and depression symptoms, life quality and severity of tinnitus in the elderly, users of hearing aids. Methods: For the quantitative study, the elderly of both genders; with tinnitus complaint; sensorineural hearing loss until moderate grade and users of hearing aids participated. Anamnesis, basic audiological evaluation, acuphenometry, application of Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, Hospital Depression and Anxiety Scale and SF-36 Quality of Life Questionnaire were performed, the last two being performed by a psychologist. Results: Eight subjects were evaluated, the tinnitus was strong and high pitch, the severity of tinnitus was negligible to severe, psychological questionnaires evidenced moderate anxiety and depression and higher scores in the components: Social Aspects and Mental Health. Conclusion: There was no correlation between life quality, emotional issues and grade of annoyance with tinnitus, in the sample.