Health is the fundamental value of every individual, and its violations, especially those that are burdened by risk of disability, are the key factor of reducing quality of life of individual. The extent of prevalence of hearing impairment in population, accompanied by multiple problems in organization of social, professional and family life of patients, determines high social importance of the issue. The article presents results of medical and sociological study (focus group) of quality of life of patients with diagnosis "sensorineural hearing loss" (as exemplified by patients of Moscow multi-field hospital). The onset of disease, in addition to problems of physical well-being (pain, dizziness, disorientation, etc.) causes person sensorineural hearing loss reducing quality of life, and, above all, resulting in multiple communication problems at the level of everyday personal and social interaction. Despite the fact that the study participants believe that there is no negative attitude and stigma towards people with hearing loss among Russians, the respondents noted prevalence of general intolerant attitude towards disabled people. The widespread of sensorineural hearing loss among able-bodied population is accompanied with low level of public awareness of principles of prevention of hearing loss, the need for timely corresponding treatment, as well as peculiarities of interaction with people suffering hearing loss. The majority of respondents indicate high ability to work with adequate treatment and selection of hearing device and make adjustments to organization, and the support of family and working community.

Hearing loss is one of the most pressing problems of a modern person, which is reflected not only in high prevalence rates, but also in a wide range of social problems associated with hearing disorders. The author notes that the most important conditions for improving the quality of life of patients with hearing loss, in addition to the need to search for effective methods of treatment, is the provision of their rehabilitation (compensatory adaptation) with the help of hearing aids and/or the use of hearing aids based on scientific literature analysis. In addition to the clinical tasks of hearing correction to ensure a high quality of life, providing a wide range of social support measures for this group of patients seems necessary. First of all, the author notes the need for measures aimed at improving the quality of life of a person with hearing impairments (providing employment opportunities, financial support, hearing aids, and social and psychological support) and expanding the practice of outreach work with the population, potentially contributing to an increased level of awareness of citizens about hearing impairment problems. The author also notes the need for timely access to medical care and contributing to reducing persistent stigma against people with hearing impairment in the Russian society.

The article provides an overview and comparison of methods for assessing quality of life of patients with hearing impairment. One of the main indicators of the level of the state development at the present stage is the quality of life of its citizens. Even now there are some discrepancies in assessing the quality of human life in the scientific literature. Moreover, selection of objective, "measurable" criteria (such as level of educational, indicators of financial well-being, assessment of housing conditions, structure of nutrition, health care availability, etc.) does not fully reflect the multicomponent concept of quality of life and requires additional for subjective criteria for the assessment system – characteristics of physical, mental and social well-being based on subjective perception and self-rating of a person. Systems medical and sociological research of the quality of human life can provide significant assistance in the formation of an objective understanding concerning specifics of social burden of sensorineural hearing loss.

The article presents an overview of factors that contribute to the development of sensorineural hearing loss, and approaches to solving this problem. Considering that we receive a significant part of information about the world through sound signals — and a healthy person is able to recognize over 400,000 different sounds —preservation and restoration of the patient’s hearing is of particular importance for maintaining social activity in modern, informational conditions of the society development.