Effectiveness of contralateral routing of signal device versus other available management options in long-standing single-sided deafness: a patient’s perspective
Abstract Background Single-sided deafness is characterized as one ear with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss or dead and normal or near-normal hearing in the other ear. Individuals with single-sided deafness face difficulty communicating effectively in their day-to-day lives. There are s...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
SpringerOpen
2025-07-01
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| Series: | The Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43163-025-00855-x |
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| Summary: | Abstract Background Single-sided deafness is characterized as one ear with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss or dead and normal or near-normal hearing in the other ear. Individuals with single-sided deafness face difficulty communicating effectively in their day-to-day lives. There are several management options available for such a group of patients, which include cochlear implantation, contralateral routing of signal devices, and surgical and non-surgical bone conduction hearing solutions. However, a unanimous management option is still to be established. Aims and objectives This study aims to explore the clinical aspects, assessment, and management of single-sided deafness; secondly, to understand the patients’ perspective and selection of management options; and thirdly, to assess the effectiveness of contralateral routing of signal devices compared to other available management options. Material and methods All the study participants who have reported and been clinically diagnosed as a case of single-sided deafness with more than 10 years of history of hearing loss were included in the study. They were evaluated by implementing an audiological test battery, which included pure tone audiometry, impedance audiometry, and otoacoustic emission. After the confirmation of hearing loss, they were asked to fill out the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly screening questionnaire, followed by trial and counseling regarding available management options. The management option was decided based upon the clinical scenario and patient feedback. Then those who chose contralateral routing of the signal device were asked to fill out the quality-of-life questionnaire both prior to fitting and after 30 days of use of the device. Results A total of 48 patients participated in the study. 95.8% of subjects have opted for contralateral routing of signal devices. The participant’s judgment and basis of selection of the device were described. The outcomes of various management options were measured, and the crucial factors intricate to the decision making are discussed. Conclusion The study focuses on the comprehensive exploration of treatment options available for individuals with long-standing single-sided deafness. It emphasized understanding the patient’s perspective about their problem and intricate the thought process behind the decision-making regarding the management option. |
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| ISSN: | 2090-8539 |