Survey on the quality of life in patients with sudden hearing loss

Objective To investigate the life quality of patients with sudden hearing loss. Methods The life quality of 229 patients with sudden hearing loss and 62 healthy subjects was documented using the Symptom Check list-90 (SCL-90) questionnaire. Then the data were compared among such four groups as healthy subjects group (n=62), hearing loss group(n=24), sudden hearing loss accompanied with tinnitus group(n=125), and sudden hearing loss with tinnitus and dizzy group(n=80). Results Scores of each factor measured in SCL-90 survey were significantly different among the four groups. The total scores in normal group, sudden hearing loss group, sudden hearing loss with tinnitus group and sudden hearing loss with tinnitus and dizzy group all increased progressively. As to five other factors, which includes somatic factor, depression factor, anxiety factor, horror factor and psychotic factor, there was a more obvious variability among the four groups(H100), and the scores also increased progressively with the development of diseases and complications. Conclusions Quality of life of patients with sudden hearing loss significantly decreased and worsen progressively with the development of diseases and complications.