Mental health in adults with sudden sensorineural hearing loss: An assessment of depressive symptoms and its correlates

AbstractObjective sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is defined as > 30 dB of hearing loss in at least three contiguous test frequencies occurring within 3 days or less and may be accompanied by tinnitus and vertigo. Despite the well-documented association between hearing loss and depressive symptoms, research on the emotional distress after SSNHL receives only scant attention. rrent study sought to (1) investigate the degree of self-reported mental distress in patients with SSNHL after a median follow-up period of 1 year, (2) investigate the association between mental distress, hearing recovery, and tinnitus. sample: 147 patients admitted for sudden hearing loss and diagnosed with SSNHL. s ts who recovered from SSNHL reported significantly less depressive symptoms. Patients with tinnitus, compared to those without tinnitus, reported more depressive thoughts and feelings, more disruptive activities and personal relationships, and more physical symptoms. sions tudy showed that SSNHL patients who developed continuous tinnitus had a higher rate of greater emotional distress than those without tinnitus. Further research on the consequences of different risk factors specific to SSNHL, their impact on psychological well-being, and the development of better treatment strategies is needed to lessen the burdens associated with SSNHL.