: Unilateral hearing loss (UHL) is associated with speech-in-noise difficulties, impaired spatial hearing, and reduced social participation, yet conventional audiological assessments may not capture these real-world consequences. This study characterised the multidimensional functional impact of UHL using an ecologically oriented test battery and explored whether accessible behavioural and self-reported measures...
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Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
Audiologists should assess social participation and adaptive strategy use in unilateral hearing loss patients, as this study highlights that functional impact extends well beyond audiometric thresholds alone.
Unilateral hearing loss is often undertreated because its impact is underestimated; evidence documenting real-world social and listening consequences strengthens the case for proactive rehabilitation in this group.
- 01Study examines listening ability and social participation in individuals with unilateral (one-sided) hearing loss.
- 02Documents adaptive strategies patients self-develop to cope with real-world listening challenges.
- 03Highlights that the functional burden of unilateral hearing loss extends to social participation, not just hearing thresholds.
- 04Findings support more proactive screening and rehabilitation counseling for this often-overlooked group.
- 05Real-world ecological focus distinguishes this work from lab-based audiometric studies.
Individuals with unilateral hearing loss experience significant social participation difficulties in real-world environments.
studysupportedPeople with unilateral hearing loss develop their own adaptive strategies to manage listening challenges.
studysupported- PMID
- 42776775
- DOI
- 10.3390/audiolres16050133.
- Journal
- Audiology Research
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 2b
- Population
- Individuals with unilateral hearing loss
Primary outcomes
Listening ability in real-world environments; Social participation; Use of adaptive coping strategies