Age at Fitting Affected Unilateral Versus Bilateral Hearing Aids Choice in Asymmetric Hearing Loss

Abstract

Background: Bilateral hearing aids are desirable to restore hearing in the most effective and natural way. The aim of the present study was to identify which type of hearing rehabilitation was preferred by our patients and which factors drove their choice. Methods: One hundred eight patients with moderate-to-severe asymmetrical hearing loss before and after a 1-month trial with bilateral hearing aids were considered. Results: As high as 58.3% of patients decided to continue with bilateral hearing aids (group BI), while 41.7% chose unilateral hearing aid (UNI group) in the best ear. Patients in the UNI group were significantly older than those in the BI group ( P = .04); age > 77 years was an independent prognostic factor of unilateral hearing aid choice (odds ratio = 6.26; P = .04). Matrix test scored significantly worse with a single hearing aid than with 2 hearing aids in both groups (UNI P = .03; BI P = .01). Conclusion: Patients with asymmetric hearing loss often prefer unilateral hearing aid, almost half in our experience. Nonetheless, bilateral hearing aids are desirable as unilateral hearing aid was associated with significantly poorer performance at a speech in noise hearing tests. Age at fitting could play a relevant role and is thus important in early diagnosis. Further studies are needed to confirm our results and investigate strategies to promote bilateral rehabilitation.

Vertebrobasilar and Basilar Dolichoectasia Causing Audio-Vestibular Manifestations: A Case Series with a Brief Literature Review

“…It is not possible to establish a clear causal relationship between BPPV and VBD for this patient; however, some pathophysiological considerations can be applied to this case. Although to the best of our knowledge, there are no reports of BPPV attributed to VBD in the literature, a significantly higher rate of vertebral artery (VA) tortuosity has been reported in a prospective study on 104 patients with BPPV [31]. According to Zhang et al [31], VA tortuosity may lead to decreased blood flow, collapse and occlusion of the blood vessels, and atherosclerosis, and therefore the distal perfusion of the inner ear may be In the present study, we reported the case series of three patients with different audiovestibular symptoms (tinnitus, aural fullness, subjective hearing loss, and dizziness); all these patients developed various degrees of sensorineural hearing loss on the same side of their VBD or BD.…”

“…Although to the best of our knowledge, there are no reports of BPPV attributed to VBD in the literature, a significantly higher rate of vertebral artery (VA) tortuosity has been reported in a prospective study on 104 patients with BPPV [31]. According to Zhang et al [31], VA tortuosity may lead to decreased blood flow, collapse and occlusion of the blood vessels, and atherosclerosis, and therefore the distal perfusion of the inner ear may be In the present study, we reported the case series of three patients with different audiovestibular symptoms (tinnitus, aural fullness, subjective hearing loss, and dizziness); all these patients developed various degrees of sensorineural hearing loss on the same side of their VBD or BD. Given the advanced age of the patients, we should not neglect the contribution of presbyacusis to the hearing decrement, especially concerning Case 3 for whom age-related hearing loss has been considered as a differential diagnosis.…”

“…Although to the best of our knowledge, there are no reports of BPPV attributed to VBD in the literature, a significantly higher rate of vertebral artery (VA) tortuosity has been reported in a prospective study on 104 patients with BPPV [31]. According to Zhang et al [31], VA tortuosity may lead to decreased blood flow, collapse and occlusion of the blood vessels, and atherosclerosis, and therefore the distal perfusion of the inner ear may be compromised, ultimately exacerbating BPPV [31]. Moreover, vestibular paroxysmia has been reported in VBD patients due to direct compression of the vestibular nerve and needs to be considered in differential diagnosis [4,17].…”

Digits-in-Noise Test as an Assessment Tool for Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids

“…This population may also be an important untreated hearing loss population for OTC hearing aids to capture. Many individuals with asymmetric hearing losses choose to only use one hearing aid despite having bilateral hearing loss, with some of these cases citing economic reasons for this choice [40]. However, research has shown better outcomes for those with asymmetric hearing losses when bilaterally aided, including better speech perception in noise performance and satisfaction with hearing aids [40,41].…”

“…Many individuals with asymmetric hearing losses choose to only use one hearing aid despite having bilateral hearing loss, with some of these cases citing economic reasons for this choice [40]. However, research has shown better outcomes for those with asymmetric hearing losses when bilaterally aided, including better speech perception in noise performance and satisfaction with hearing aids [40,41]. Those with asymmetrical hearing losses may choose to pursue OTC hearing aids, which are often sold in pairs, due to more ease of purchase and cheaper cost, and this may help to provide those individuals with earlier adaptation to bilateral fitting.…”