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- Title
Interpersonal support of adults suffering from tinnitus compared to cochlear implant users with postlingual deafness. The role of socio-demographic variables.
- Authors
Kobosko, J.; Fludra, M.; Gos, E.; Geremek-Samsonowicz, A.; Skarzynski, H.
- Abstract
Introduction: Social support received from other people has huge impact on quality of life and health, especially in situations related to health problems, such as tinnitus or acquired disability like postlingual deafness. Aim: To investigate if people with tinnitus but with no accompanying hearing loss are different from people with postlingual deafness who are cochlear implant (CI) users, in terms of received social support and the role of sociodemographic data. Material and methods: Study participants were people with tinnitus (n=52) and CI users with postlingual deafness. Mean age was 55 years. Interpersonal support was measured using the ISEL-40 scale (Cohen et al., 1985). Socio- demographic and health-related information was collected with an information questionnaire. Measures were conducted during rehabilitation retreats organized by the Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing. Results: People with tinnitus receive significantly more interpersonal support than postlingually deaf CI users overall and in different subscales: tangible support, self-esteem support, belonging support and appraisal support. The perceived strength of support received by people with tinnitus is similar to general population. No significant differences were observed in terms of interpersonal support intensity within each group with regard to sex, education or employment status. No relationship was observed between age and interpersonal support in both groups. Conclusions: Perceived interpersonal support received by people with tinnitus is on the level similar to a general population. Thus in spite of being afflicted with tinnitus these people can have better quality of life related to interpersonal relationships compared to people with postlingual deafness using Cl. There is still a question whether this reported social support is not a result of e.g. denial of problems in social relationships by people with tinnitus, which needs to be investigated.
- Subjects
COCHLEAR implants; EMPLOYMENT; INTERPERSONAL relations; SEX distribution; SUFFERING; SOCIAL support; SOCIOECONOMIC factors; TINNITUS; PSYCHOLOGY
- Publication
Journal of Hearing Science, 2017, Vol 7, Issue 2, p149
- ISSN
2083-389X
- Publication type
Article