International Archives of Otorhinolaryngology (Sep 2010)
Unilateral Hearing Loss: the Benefit of Auditory Localization after Adaptation of Hearing Aids Individual
Abstract
Introduction: A unilateral hearing loss is characterized by decreased hearing in one ear. Objective: To evaluate the benefit on the location after hearing the adaptation of hearing aids Individual (HA) in individuals with unilateral hearing loss. Method: A prospective study of 31 individuals aged between 18 and 75 years and both genders with unilateral hearing loss of various types and grades, answered a questionnaire to evaluate the location of the sound source, by using the "Survey of hearing ability of the location of the sound source." The instrument was applied in two situations: without the use of HA and the use of hearing aids. Results: Patients with mild hearing loss and received a moderate score of 3.35 with use of hearing aids and hearing loss, severe and profound absence of an improvement of 3.05 1.39 and 1.38 respectively. Conclusion:Benefits were obtained with the use of hearing aids on the auditory localization in subjects with unilateral hearing loss, emphasizing the importance of the use of amplification.