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Health and disability assessment in individuals with hearing loss: a longitudinal study using WHODAS 2.0
Karen Melissa Gonzaga Dos Santos1, Rogéria Cristina Toscano Dias1, Jade Louise Alves Macedo Padilha Silva1
1Residência Multiprofissional no Cuidado à Saúde da Pessoa com Deficiência, Instituto de Ensino e Pesquisa Alberto Santos Dumont - ISD - Macaíba (RN), Brasil.
Hearing aids significantly reduced self-perceived disability in individuals with bilateral hearing loss (HL). The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) showed improvements in cognition, self-care, and participation after one year of use.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Bilateral hearing loss (HL) impacts daily functioning and quality of life.
- Self-perception of disability is a crucial outcome measure in audiological rehabilitation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the self-perceived health and disability in individuals with bilateral hearing loss (HL) before and after one year of hearing aid (HA) use.
- To utilize the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) for assessing changes in disability.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal, observational study involving 15 participants with mild to severe bilateral HL fitted with hearing aids (HA).
- The WHODAS 2.0 was administered at HA fitting and again after one year of use.
- Statistical analysis of mean scores across the six WHODAS 2.0 domains: cognition, mobility, self-care, getting along, life activities, and participation.
Main Results:
- A notable average reduction of 12% in WHODAS 2.0 disability scores was observed after one year of HA use.
- Statistically significant improvements were identified in the domains of cognition, self-care, and participation.
- The WHODAS 2.0 demonstrated sensitivity to changes in functioning related to HA use.
Conclusions:
- The WHODAS 2.0 is an effective tool for assessing and monitoring disability in individuals with HL.
- Hearing aid use positively impacts self-perceived functioning and disability.
- The WHODAS 2.0 is sensitive to functional changes resulting from hearing aid intervention, even with some non-significant variables.
