title: Hearing-related, health-related quality of life in patients who have undergone otosclerosis surgery: a long-term follow-up study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of the study were to assess health-related quality of life and hearing-related disability in subjects with otosclerosis 30 years after surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  An observational study was performed. Medical records were reviewed, a clinical examination as well as audiometric assessments were performed. Generic health-related quality of life was assessed by the SF-36v2 and hearing disability by a shortened version of SSQ (speech spatial and qualities of hearing scale).
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-five individuals, who had undergone stapedectomy in 1977-79 at a tertiary referral center.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Generic health-related quality of life according to SF-36 subscale scores was comparable to that of an age- and sex-matched reference population. The SF-36 mental component summary score (MCS) was, however, significantly better than that of the reference population. The mental and physical summary component scores correlated significantly to hearing disability measured by the SSQ but not to hearing impairment. Hearing disability was displayed in all SSQ sub-scores, especially in more complex listening situations and in the localization of sounds.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that individuals with otosclerosis, 30 years after surgery, have a good generic health-related quality of life, despite moderate to severe hearing loss and significant hearing disabilities.
authors.affiliation: * Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Department of Clinical Science, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg , Gothenburg , Sweden.
authors.forename: Ylva Dahlin
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Redfors
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Olaison
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Karlsson
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hellgren
authors.forename: Claes
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Möller
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006309:Hearing; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010040:Otosclerosis / Q000601:surgery*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011788:Quality of Life; D013017:Sound Localization; D013067:Speech Perception; D013201:Stapes Surgery; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Otosclerosis; SF-36; SSQ; health-related quality of life; hearing impairment; stapedectomy