Severe and Frequent Loneliness Mars Adults with Hearing Loss : Loneliness Mars Adults with Hearing Loss

Aqsa Irum; Nazia Mumtaz; Ghulam Saqulain; Amna Asghar; Tayyaba Dawood

doi:10.54393/pjhs.v4i12.926

Authors

Aqsa Irum Mayo Hospital, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan
Nazia Mumtaz Riphah International University, Lahore, Pakistan
Ghulam Saqulain Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Capital Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan
Amna Asghar Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan
Tayyaba Dawood Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/pjhs.v4i12.926

Keywords:

Adulthood, Hearing Loss, Psychological, Severe Loneliness, UCLA Loneliness Scale Version-3

Abstract

There is a high prevalence of hearing loss in community and need of research to address this gap into the health-related issues of hearing loss like loneliness, anxiety and depression, hence current study was conducted. Objective: To determine the subjective loneliness in adults with hearing loss and association with clinico-demographic variables. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Isra University Islamabad, recruited N=377 patients with hearing loss utilizing convenience sampling from Sir Ganga Ram and Mayo Hospitals, Lahore, Pakistan from January 2020 to June 2020. The sample included both genders, aged 20 to 65 years with moderate to profound hearing loss of at least 1-year duration. The basic demographic sheet and University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale Version 3 were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 26 & Chi-square was utilized for association with p<0.05 taken to be significant. Results: Study revealed severe loneliness in 279(74%) and frequent loneliness in 98(26%). Severity categories of loneliness revealed association with age (p=0.049), gender (p=0.043), smoking (p=0.049), type of hearing loss (p<0.001), degree of hearing loss (p=0.008), hearing aid use (p<0.001), hours and days of hearing aid use (p<0.001). Conclusions: It is concluded that hearing loss results in severe and frequent loneliness. Factors including age, gender, smoking, type of hearing loss, degree of hearing loss, hearing aid use, hours and days of hearing aid use are associated with loneliness in adult population of Punjab, Pakistan.

References

World Health Organization. Deafness and hearing loss. 2021. [Last Cited: 8th January 2022]. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/deafness-and-hearing-loss

Cunningham LL and Tucci DL. Hearing Loss in Adults. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2017 Dec; 377(25): 2465-2473. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra1616601. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra1616601

Abdel-Rahman AG, Meky FAS, Allam MF, El-Tabakh M, El-Gaafary MM. Prevalence and risk factors of hearing disorders in secondary schools students in Ismailia, Egypt. La Revue de Sante de la Mediterranee orientale. 2007; 13: 586-594.

Saqulain G and Mumtaz N. Hearing handicap in older adults: a multi-center study. Pakistan Armed Forces Medical Journal. 2021 Dec; 71(Suppl-3): S590-93. doi: 10.51253/pafmj.v1i1.3137. DOI: https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v1i1.3137

Musani MA, Rauf A, Ahsan M, Khan FA. Frequency and causes of hearing impairment in tertiary care center. JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association. 2011 Feb; 61(2): 141-4.

Saqulain G, Zahra G, Mumtaz N. Audiometric Characteristics of Presbycusis: A Hospital-Based Study. Journal of Islamabad Medical & Dental College. 2021 Sep; 10(3): 169-75. doi: 10.35787/jimdc.v10i3.543. DOI: https://doi.org/10.35787/jimdc.v10i3.543

Stangor C and Walinga J. Introduction to psychology. 1st Canadian Edition. BCcampus; 2014.

Kourkouta L, Iliadis C, Monios A. Psychosocial issues in elderly. Prognostic Health Sciences. 2015 Jun; 5(1): 232-7.

Ching TY, Crowe K, Martin V, Day J, Mahler N, Youn S, et al. Language development and everyday functioning of children with hearing loss assessed at 3 years of age. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology. 2010 Apr; 12(2): 124-31. doi: 10.3109/17549500903577022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3109/17549500903577022

Cosh S, Helmer C, Delcourt C, Robins TG, Tully PJ. Depression in elderly patients with hearing loss: current perspectives. Clinical Intervention in Aging. 2019 Aug; 14: 1471-1480. doi: 10.2147/CIA.S195824. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2147/CIA.S195824

Feltner C, Wallace IF, Kistler CE, Schwimmer MC, Jonas DE, Middleton JC. Screening for Hearing Loss in Older Adults: An Evidence Review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2021. doi: 10.1001/jama.2020.24855. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2020.24855

Ong AD, Uchino BN, Wethington E. Loneliness and health in older adults: A mini-review and synthesis. Gerontology. 2016 Jun; 62(4): 443-9. doi: 10.1159/000441651. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1159/000441651

Khaliq AA, Fatima I, Iftikhar M, Alam QUA. Loneliness and Aggression in Adolescents Living in Institutionalized Care. Pakistan Journal of Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. 2020 Mar; 11: 69-82.

Mushtaq R, Shoib S, Shah T, Mushtaq S. Relationship between loneliness, psychiatric disorders and physical health? A review on the psychological aspects of loneliness. Journal of Clinical Diagnostic Research. 2014 Sep; 8(9): WE01-4. doi: 10.7860/JCDR/2014/10077.4828. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2014/10077.4828

Wang J, Lloyd-Evans B, Marston L, Mann F, Ma R, Johnson S. Loneliness as a predictor of outcomes in mental disorders among people who have experienced a mental health crisis: a 4-month prospective study. BMC Psychiatry. 2020 Dec; 20(1): 1-5. doi: 10.1186/s12888-020-02665-2. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-02665-2

Russell DW. UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3): Reliability, validity, and factor structure. Journal of Personality Assessment. 1996 Feb; 66(1): 20-40. doi: 10.1207/s15327752jpa6601_2. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa6601_2

Bott A and Saunders G. A scoping review of studies investigating hearing loss, social isolation and/or loneliness in adults. International Journal of Audiology. 2021 Jul; 60(sup2): 30-46. doi: 10.1080/14992027.2021.1915506. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2021.1915506

Shukla A, Harper M, Pedersen E, Goman A, Suen JJ, Price C, et al. Hearing loss, loneliness, and social isolation: a systematic review. Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. 2020 May; 162(5): 622-33. doi: 10.1177/0194599820910377. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0194599820910377

Nachtegaal J, Smit JH, Smits CA, Bezemer PD, Van Beek JH, Festen JM, et al. The association between hearing status and psychosocial health before the age of 70 years: results from an internet-based national survey on hearing. Ear and Hearing. 2009 Jun; 30(3): 302-12.doi: 10.1097/AUD.0b013e31819c6e01. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/AUD.0b013e31819c6e01

Sung YK, Li L, Blake C, Betz J, Lin FR. Association of hearing loss and loneliness in older adults. Journal of Aging and Health. 2016 Sep; 28(6): 979-94. doi: 10.1177/0898264315614570. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0898264315614570

Mick P, Kawachi I, Lin FR. The association between hearing loss and social isolation in older adults. Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. 2014 Mar; 150(3): 378-84. doi: 10.1177/0194599813518021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0194599813518021

Ramage-Morin PL. Hearing difficulties and feelings of social isolation among Canadians aged 45 or older. Health Reports. 2016 Nov; 27(11): 3-12.

Nakahori N, Sekine M, Yamada M, Tatsuse T, Kido H, Suzuki M. Association between self-reported hearing loss and low socioeconomic status in Japan: findings from the Toyama dementia survey. BMC Geriatrics. 2020 Dec; 20: 1-7. doi: 10.1186/s12877-020-01680-y. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-020-01680-y

Weinstein BE, Sirow LW, Moser S. Relating hearing aid use to social and emotional loneliness in older adults. American Journal of Audiology. 2016 Mar; 25(1): 54-61. doi: 10.1044/2015_AJA-15-0055. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1044/2015_AJA-15-0055

Applebaum J, Hoyer M, Betz J, Lin FR, Goman AM. Long-term subjective loneliness in adults after hearing loss treatment. International Journal of Audiology. 2019 Aug; 58(8): 464-7. doi: 10.1080/14992027.2019.1593523. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2019.1593523

Dawes P, Emsley R, Cruickshanks KJ, Moore DR, Fortnum H, Edmondson-Jones M, et al. Hearing loss and cognition: the role of hearing AIDS, social isolation and depression. PloS One. 2015 Mar; 10(3): e0119616. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119616. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0119616

Warringa LT, Henke CE, Pronk M, Kramer SE, Stam M. Relationships between coping behaviors and social loneliness in adults with self-reported hearing problems. Ear and Hearing. 2020 Jul; 41(4): 1040-50. doi: 10.1097/AUD.0000000000000828. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/AUD.0000000000000828