Hur påverkar hörselskadan det dagliga livet? En jämförande studie mellan barndomsdöva och vuxendöva.

Abstract

The study emanates from the national quality registry for persons with severe and profound hearing impairment. The aim was to examine possible differences between signing deaf and adults with acquired severe hearing loss, with reference to self-assessed problems, how the hearing loss influences daily life. In total 234 adults aged 30-90 years were included (128 women, 106 men). In the registry, there are background variables and questions that the patients have answered. The results, indicated on a visual analogue scale (VAS) from 0-100, from a question “To which extent does your hearing loss at present influence your life?” were analysed. The study was performed by pooling the results of VAS and dividing the patients into signing deaf and those with acquired severe hearing loss, and in age groups 30-60 and 61-90 years. A statistical analysis was performed between the two groups aged 30-60 years. The present study shows clear significant differences between the signing deaf group and the group with acquired deafness, aged 30-60 years, in how they experience the influence that the hearing loss has on everyday life. The adults with acquired deafness perceive that the hearing impairment influences daily life more negatively that the signing deaf group. There could be limitations in using a single question, with a visual analogue scale response, with the aim to study quality of life in relation to functional deficit. The present questionnaire could be less suitable in use for persons with congenital deafness.