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Spatial hearing disability after acoustic neuroma removal
Susan A Douglas1, Phil Yeung, Anurag Daudia
1The Queen's Medical Centre, Derby Road, Nottingham, UK NG7 7UH. SusanADouglas@gmail.com
The Laryngoscope
|December 7, 2007
Summary
Patients with profound unilateral hearing loss after acoustic neuroma removal experience significant auditory disabilities, particularly with speech in noise. This highlights the need for pre-operative counseling regarding potential hearing disability.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Neurosurgery
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Hearing loss (HL) is a common sequela of acoustic neuroma removal.
- Previous research focused on pure-tone hearing outcomes, neglecting functional hearing disability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize and quantify auditory disabilities in patients with profound unilateral HL post-acoustic neuroma surgery.
- To utilize the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing scale (SSQ) for this assessment.
Main Methods:
- Forty-four patients with profound unilateral HL post-acoustic neuroma surgery were evaluated.
- The SSQ questionnaire was administered to assess auditory function.
- Patient results were compared to a matched control population.
Main Results:
- Acoustic neuroma patients reported significantly greater auditory disabilities compared to controls.
- Key challenges included understanding speech in noise, managing multiple sound streams, sound localization, and increased listening effort.
- Only sound identification did not show a significant difference.
Conclusions:
- Profound unilateral HL after acoustic neuroma removal leads to substantial, widespread auditory disabilities.
- Clinicians must recognize the impact of this hearing loss on daily life.
- Pre-operative counseling is crucial to inform patients about potential binaural hearing loss and its significant disability.
