The psychological and social consequences of single-sided deafness in adulthood

Lucas, Laura; Katiri, Roulla; Kitterick, P�draig T.

Abstract

Objectives: This study examined the subjective psychological and social effects of highly asymmetric hearing loss (single-sided deafness) in adults.
Design: Three group interviews were conducted using the critical incidence technique and analysed using an inductive thematic analysis.
Study sample: Eight adults with a clinical diagnosis of a moderately-severe hearing loss or greater in one ear and normal or near-normal hearing in the other ear.
Results: A range of functional hearing difficulties associated with single-sided deafness including impaired speech in background noise and reduced spatial awareness were reported to affect social and psychological well-being. Social consequences of single-sided deafness resulted from activity limitations and participation restrictions including withdrawal from and within situations. Participants reported psychological effects including worrying about losing the hearing in their other ear, embarrassment related to the social stigma attached to hearing loss, and reduced confidence and belief in their abilities to participate.
Conclusions: Single-sided deafness can be associated with many negative consequences. Counselling may help overcome the psychological consequences of hearing loss regardless of whether technological support such as a hearing aid is prescribed. The audiological management of these individuals should support the development of listening strategies and set appropriate expectations for participation in everyday listening situations.

Citation

Lucas, L., Katiri, R., & Kitterick, P. T. (2018). The psychological and social consequences of single-sided deafness in adulthood. International Journal of Audiology, 57(1), 21-30. https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2017.1398420

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 23, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Nov 13, 2017
• Publication Date: Jan 8, 2018
• Deposit Date: Oct 26, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 14, 2018
• Journal: International Journal of Audiology
• Print ISSN: 1499-2027
• Electronic ISSN: 1708-8186
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 57
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 21-30
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2017.1398420
• Keywords: unilateral hearing loss; unilateral deafness; ; single-sided deafness; SSD; hearing function; listening difficulties; psychosocial impact; critical incidence technique
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/903766
• Publisher URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2017.1398420
• Additional Information: This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in International Journal of Audiology on 13 Nov 2017, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/14992027.2017.1398420.