Bone-anchored hearing aid quality of life assessed by Glasgow Benefit Inventory.
OBJECTIVE
The bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) is a well established mode of treatment and many studies show the audiological benefit, but none has assessed the benefit to the quality of life of patients. This study uses the validated Glasgow Benefit Inventory to quantify the changes in quality of life.


METHODS
Retrospective questionnaire study.


METHODS
Sixty consecutive patients receiving treatment with BAHA were enrolled in the study. The male/female ratio was 1.26 to 1; mean patient age was 45 years. The most common indication was hearing loss secondary to mastoid disease and surgery followed by congenital atresia and chronic discharge from the ear.


RESULTS
The response rate was 85%, which is high and adds weight to the results. The general benefit score was +34 (range, +27-+48), which is comparable to middle ear surgery but just below benefit from cochlear implantation. The social benefit was +21 (range, +12-+37) with only +10 (range, +2-+26) for the physical score. This pattern mirrors that reported for other ear interventions. Maximum benefit was noted in patients with congenital atresias followed by discharging mastoid cavities.


CONCLUSIONS
This study is the first to demonstrate significant quality of life benefit from BAHA surgical intervention as measured by the Glasgow Benefit Inventory.
Arunachalam
P S
PS
Department of ENT and Audiology, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.
Kilby
D
D
Meikle
D
D
Davison
T
T
Johnson
I J
IJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000601:surgery; D006053:Goldenhar Syndrome / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006310:Hearing Aids; D006801:Humans; D008342:Mandibulofacial Dysostosis / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008416:Mastoid; D008875:Middle Aged; D010032:Otitis Externa / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010040:Otosclerosis / Q000534:rehabilitation; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires