Jakość życia chorych z nagłym niedosłuchem czuciowo-nerwowym

Abstract Aim The aim of this study was the assessment of the quality of life of patients suffering from SSNHL and treated in the Otolaryngology Ward of Regional Specialized Hospital in Slupsk between 2001 and 2010, who were interviewed at least one year after the end of treatment. Material and methods A test examination was carried out in the period between 1 September 2011 and 31 March 2012 in the group of patients previously treated for SSNHL in the Otolaryngology Ward of Regional Specialized Hospital in Slupsk. Sixty-one patients responded to an invitation in writing. Quality of life was measured using following questionnaires: WHOQOL-Bref and Cantril's ladder (questionnaire). Results A test carried out using a Cantril's questionnaire showed that the respondents assessed their quality of life as higher before they fell ill, compared to the period directly after they fell ill, in hope of improvement of their well being, although this hope was not as high as it was before they fell ill. These differences were statistically significant. As it was indicated by WHOQOL-Bref questionnaire, the condition did not influence the quality of life of the patients, however the patients reported a higher quality of life, when compared to the patients who did not observe hearing improvement (these differences were noticeable but considered statistically insignificant). Conclusions The indicated ambiguous influence of the treatment of patients suffering from SSNHL on their quality of life demonstrates the need to continue such research.