PERCEIVED HEARING HANDICAP OF PATIENTS WITH UNILATERAL OR MILD HEARING-LOSS

Using the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults (HHIA), we assessed se lf-perceived hearing handicap in a sample of 63 patients having either unilaterally normal hearing or a mild hearing loss (pure tone average less than or equal to 40 dB hearing level). Large intersubject variab ility in responses to the HHIA confirmed observations that reactions t o minimal hearing impairment vary greatly among patients. The individu al differences in responses highlight the importance of quantifying th e perceived communication and psychosocial handicap, which cannot be d etermined from the audiogram alone. An item examination of responses t o the HHIA revealed a number of emotional and social-situational probl ems encountered by patients with minimal hearing loss.