Hearing loss and depressive symptoms in elderly patients

Aims: Hearing loss is a common disability that has a profound impact on communication and daily functioning in the elderly. The present study assesses the effects of hearing aids on mood, quality of life and caregiver burden when hearing loss, comorbidity and depressive symptoms coexist in the elde...

Full description

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Geriatrics & gerontology international Vol. 12; no. 3; pp. 440 - 445
Main Authors:	Boi, Raffaella, Racca, Luca, Cavallero, Antonio, Carpaneto, Veronica, Racca, Matteo, Dall' Acqua, Francesca, Ricchetti, Michele, Santelli, Alida, Odetti, Patrizio
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Melbourne, Australia Blackwell Publishing Asia 01-07-2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Subjects:	Activities of Daily Living Aged Aged, 80 and over Analysis of Variance Audiometry Comorbidity depression Depression - prevention & control Depression - psychology elderly Female Hearing Aids Hearing loss Hearing Loss - psychology Hearing Loss - rehabilitation Humans Male Mental depression Older people presbycusis Psychiatric Status Rating Scales Quality of Life
Online Access:	Get full text
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!

Description
Summary:	Aims: Hearing loss is a common disability that has a profound impact on communication and daily functioning in the elderly. The present study assesses the effects of hearing aids on mood, quality of life and caregiver burden when hearing loss, comorbidity and depressive symptoms coexist in the elderly. Methods: A total of 15 patients aged older than 70 years suffering from hearing loss and depressive mood were recruited. Comorbidity was evaluated by the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale, functional ability by the Activities of Daily Living scale and the Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scale, cognitive capacity by the Mini‐mental State Examination and the Clock Drawing Test, psychological status by the Center for Epidemiological Studies‐Depression scale, and quality of life by the Short Form (36) Health Survey. Caregiver burden was appraised by the Caregiver Burden Inventory. Testing was carried out at baseline and at 1‐, 3‐ and 6‐month intervals, assessing the use of binaural digital and programmable hearing aids. Results: Reduction in depressive symptoms and improved quality of life at statistically significant levels were observed early on with the use of hearing aids. In particular, general health (P < 0.02), vitality (P < 0.03), social functioning (P < 0.05), emotional stability (P < 0.05) and mental health (P < 0.03) all changed for the better, and were maintained for the study duration. The degree of caregiver burden also declined, remaining low throughout the study. Conclusions: The benefits of digital hearing aids in relation to depressive symptoms, general health and social interactivity, but also in the caregiver – patient relationship, were clearly shown in the study. The elderly without cognitive decline and no substantial functional deficits should be encouraged to use hearing aids to improve their quality of life. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2012; 12: 440–445.
Bibliography:	ark:/67375/WNG-T81MH5G7-7 istex:DB80B9A718841FF0A922847ED9E36820C9331606 ArticleID:GGI789 ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	1444-1586 1447-0594
DOI:	10.1111/j.1447-0594.2011.00789.x