An Analytical Study of Risk of Depression in Adult Population With Hearing Impairment

Abstract

Background: According to the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE), adults with hearing loss to the extent that it affects their ability to communicate and hear should be offered hearing aids with proper counseling. Objective: The aim of the current study was conducted with the primary aim of evaluating the frequency of depression and associated factors among hearing loss patients. The secondary aim of the study was to determine the impact of usage of hearing aids on depression. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was performed at Qureshi ENT and Medical Center located in Karachi, Pakistan. The study was conducted from January to November 2022. The speech therapist performed the pure tone audiometry test to assess hearing ability. Depression was assessed using a PHQ-9 questionnaire and a score of 10 and higher was labeled as positive for depression. All of the patients were advised to use hearing aids regularly. Baseline depression level was assessed and patients were scheduled with a follow-up appointment after three months for assessment of depression level after usage of hearing aids. Results: A total of 251 patients with a median age of 22 years (IQR=22-35) were enrolled in the research. Median disease duration was 2.5 (IQR=2-3.5) years. The majority had disease of a mild nature (n=176, 70.1%) whereas 38 (15.1%) had moderate and 37 (14.7%) had severe disease. At baseline, depression was prevalent among 111 (n=44.2%) patients. On the multivariable regression model, younger age (aOR=0.41, 95% CI: 0.17-0.93, p=0.039), being unemployed (aOR=0.51, 95% CI: 0.26-0.98, p=0.046) and mild disease (aOR=0.06, 95% CI: 0.03-0.14, p<0.001) were significantly associated with lower odds of depression. Depression after using a hearing aid was prevalent among 76 (30.3%) patients. There was a significant decrease in the proportion of people having depression after three months of follow-up (p<0.001). Conclusion: The baseline depression in hearing loss was higher, particularly in older patients, employed and having moderate to severe disease. Three months usage of hearing aid improved depression among hearing loss patients

Keywords

• depression
• hearing loss
• hearing impairment
• psychological well-being
• mental health
• severity of hearing impairment