The psychological and social consequences of single-sided deafness in adulthood

Abstract

Objectives: This study examined the subjective psychological and social effects of highly asymmetric hearing loss (single-sided deafness [SSD]) in adults. Design: Three group interviews were conducted using the critical incident technique and analysed using an inductive thematic analysis. Study sample: Eight adults with a clinical diagnosis of a moderately severe hearing loss or greater in one ear and normal or near-normal hearing in the other ear. Results: A range of functional hearing difficulties associated with SSD including impaired speech in background noise and reduced spatial awareness were reported to affect social and psychological well-being. Social consequences of SSD resulted from activity limitations and participation restrictions including withdrawal from and within situations. Participants reported psychological effects including worrying about losing the hearing in their other ear, embarrassment related to the social stigma attached to hearing loss and reduced confidence and belief in their abilities to participate. Conclusions: Single-sided deafness can be associated with many negative consequences. Counselling may help overcome the psychological consequences of hearing loss regardless of whether technological support such as a hearing aid is prescribed. The audiological management of these individuals should support the development of listening strategies and set appropriate expectations for participation in everyday listening situations.

Key Words:

• Unilateral hearing loss
• unilateral deafness
• single-sided deafness (SSD)
• hearing function
• listening difficulties
• psychosocial impact
• critical incident technique

Declaration of interest: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

This work was supported by infrastructure funding from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health.

Supplementary material available online

Notes

1. In this context, hearing handicap refers to the extent to which their hearing loss affects their behaviour and well-being (Ventry and Weinstein 1982).