Hearing Handicap among Hearing Impaired Adults: An Observational Study

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Public Health
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• Hearing impairment is a widespread but often overlooked issue in Nepal.
• Adults with hearing loss face social isolation, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life.
• Limited data exists on the psychosocial impact of hearing impairment in Nepal.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the prevalence and characteristics of hearing handicap among adults with hearing impairment in Nepal.
• To identify factors associated with hearing handicap in this population.

Main Methods:

• A hospital-based, cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted.
• 103 adults with hearing impairment were recruited from an ENT department.
• Data collected using the Nepali version of the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults (HHIA-S) and audiological profiles.

Main Results:

• 64.08% of participants reported a hearing handicap.
• The majority experienced mild-to-moderate (41.75%) or severe (22.33%) handicaps.
• Handicap prevalence was higher in older adults, males, those with profound hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss, and bilateral hearing impairment.

Conclusions:

• Hearing handicap is common among adults with hearing impairment in Nepal.
• Severity, type (sensorineural), and laterality (bilateral) of hearing loss significantly influence perceived handicap.