Abstract
Objectives: In patients with bilateral asymmetrical hearing
loss (AHL) where only one hearing aid is available, it is difficult to
decide which ear to amplify. The aims of this study were to evaluate the
outcomes of hearing-aid use for AHL patients fitted with a hearing aid
in their worse ear only.
Design: Retrospective study.
Setting: Secondary-referral, university-based hospital.
Participants: 102 adults with asymmetrical mixed or
sensorineural hearing loss. AHL was classified into three subgroups:
unilateral hearing loss (UHL), and asymmetrical hearing loss type 1
(AHL1) and type 2 (AHL2).
Main outcome measures: (1) The time for wearing a hearing aid,
(2) the hearing in noise test (HINT)), (3) sound localization test, and
(4) the Korean version of the International Outcome Inventory for
Hearing Aids (IOI-HA).
Results: The 1 kHz-hearing threshold of the better ear was
significantly better in the intermittent users than in the successful
users for UHL. Among the etiologies of AHL, sudden hearing loss was
associated with significantly better outcomes of hearing-aid use for
AHL, UHL, and AHL1 patients. Younger age was associated with
significantly better outcomes for AHL and AHL2.
Conclusions: The results indicate the importance of good
hearing at 1 kHz in the better ear when counseling UHL patients who will
receive a monaural hearing aid in their worse ear. We also suggest that
clinicians should recommend a monaural hearing aid for the worse ear to
younger patients with AHL, especially in cases of sudden hearing loss.
Keywords: Hearing Aids, Hearing Loss, Asymmetry.