ANALYSIS OF TINNITUS AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS SUBMITTED TO COCHLEAR IMPLANTAT: PROSPECTIVE COHORT
Hearing loss; tinnitus; cochlear implant; quality of life, depression
Introduction: Approximately 1.5 billion people around the world live with some degree of hearing loss, which is the biggest risk factor for tinnitus, which can further worsen the quality of life, with high levels of anxiety and depression; affecting the patient's overall health and well-being. Objectives: Evaluate the impact of cochlear implant on the perception of tinnitus before and after surgery, as well as to analyze the impact on improving quality of life and in relation to psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety. Methods: 30 adult patients with profound bilateral hearing loss, candidates for Cochlear Implant surgery and complaining of tinnitus, were evaluated with the following questionnaires: Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Visual Analog Scale, WHOQOL-BREF Questionnaire, Questionnaire Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) at 4 times: preoperatively, 7 days, 3 and 6 months after cochlear implant activation. The International Outcome Inventory Cochlear Implant (IOICI) and Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) questionnaires were applied only at 3 and 6 months. Results: There was a statistically significant improvement in THI at 6 months after surgery. According to the analysis of anxiety and depression scores, we observed a decrease in values over the 6 months follow-up, both for anxiety and depression in relation to the preoperative period, demonstrating an improvement in psychological disorders after cochlear implant surgery; however, these data were not statistically significant. Regarding the quality of life assessed by the WHOQOL-BREF, the mean values of the physical, psychological and social relationships domains did not show statistically significant changes during the follow-up. The mean value of the environment domain showed a statistically significant increase at 6 months in relation to the preoperative period. With regard to self-assessment of quality of life, the mean value at 3 months showed a significant increase. The mean values of the general health assessment showed significant changes in the 6-month follow-up period. Regarding the IOI-CI and GBI in our sample, the scores showed that most patients are satisfied with the cochlear implant surgery. Conclusion: Tinnitus improved after cochlear implant surgery based on THI scores and this improvement was statistically significant. Patients were satisfied with cochlear implant surgery based on the IOI-CI and GBI questionnaires. Anxiety and depression rates improved after cochlear implant surgery, although this improvement was not statistically significant. The self-assessment of quality of life, based on the WHOQOL-BREF, as well as its environment and general domains, showed a statistically significant improvement.