Hearing Handicap among Hearing Impaired Adults: An Observational Study

Hearing impairment is a prevalent yet under-recognized condition in Nepal. Adults with hearing loss may experience stigma, social isolation, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life. Evidence from Nepal on the psychosocial impact of hearing impairment remains limited. This study aimed to assess hearing handicap among adults with hearing impairment.

A hospital-based, cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 103 adults with hearing impairment attending an Ear, Nose, and Throat department of tertiary hospital in Nepal. Data were collected using the validated Nepali version of the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults - Screening version, along with socio-demographic and audiological profiles. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis.

Of 103 participants, the mean age was 45.38±20.30 (95% CI:41.46 -49.30) years. Audiological assessment revealed 69 (67.99%) had bilateral hearing impairment, 45 (43.69%) had mild hearing loss, and 42 (40.78%) had sensorineural hearing loss. Overall, 66 (64.08%) of participants reported hearing handicap, with 43 (41.75%) classified as mild-to-moderate and 23 (22.33%) as severe hearing loss. Perceived handicap was reported among 16 (80%) older adults aged 60-74 years and 35 (72.92%) males. Similarly, 4 (100%) people with profound hearing loss compared to 23 (51.11%) with mild hearing loss reported handicap. Likewise, 34 (80.95%) with sensorineural hearing loss and 57 (82.61%) with bilateral involvement reported handicap.

Most adults with hearing impairment experience hearing-related handicap, influenced by the severity, type, and laterality of hearing loss. The majority of these individual have severe degree, sensorineural type and bilateral hearing impairment.