@article{328617ef5180487fbdfcd2bfe431dab7,
title = "Subjective Fatigue in Children With Unaided and Aided Unilateral Hearing Loss",
abstract = "Objectives: Fatigue is frequently observed in children with chronic diseases and can affect the quality of life (QoL). However, research in children with unilateral hearing loss (UHL) is scarce. Subsequently, no studies investigated the effects of hearing aids on fatigue in children. This study investigates subjective fatigue and hearing-related QoL in children with UHL. Furthermore, it evaluates the influence of hearing aids, subject-specific factors, and respondent-type on subjective fatigue. Study Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2020 until September 2020 at the department of otorhinolaryngology in a tertiary referral center. Methods: The primary outcome was the difference in subjective fatigue and hearing-related QoL between children with unaided UHL, aided UHL, and normal hearing. Subjective fatigue and hearing-related QoL were measured using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory{\texttrademark} Multidimensional Fatigue Scale (PedsQL{\texttrademark}-MFS) and Hearing Environments and Reflection on Quality of Life (HEAR-QL{\texttrademark}) questionnaires. Results: Along with 36 aided children with UHL, 34 unaided and 36 normal-hearing children were included. Child reports revealed significantly more cognitive fatigue in children with aided UHL than children with normal hearing (median difference 12.5, P =.013). Parents reported more fatigue in children with UHL compared to normal-hearing siblings. Especially children with aided UHL seemed at increased risk for fatigue. Children with UHL scored lower on hearing-related QoL than children with normal hearing. No apparent differences were found in fatigue and QoL between children with unaided and aided UHL. Conclusion: Children with unaided and even aided UHL seem to experience more subjective fatigue and lower hearing-related QoL than children with normal hearing. Prospective longitudinal studies are required to investigate the influence of hearing aids on fatigue and QoL in individual patients. Level of Evidence: 3 Laryngoscope, 2021 Laryngoscope, 133:189–198, 2023.",
keywords = "Unilateral hearing loss, bone conduction device, fatigue, hearing aid, quality of life",
author = "Bakkum, {Kim H.E.} and Teunissen, {Emma M.} and Janssen, {Arno M.} and Lieu, {Judith E.C.} and Hol, {Myrthe K.S.}",
note = "Funding Information: This study was supported by the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Radboud University Medical Centre (Radboudumc), Nijmegen, the Netherlands. We acknowledge all researchers, audiologists and psychologists from the Children's Audiology Centre at the Radboudumc who assisted with the selection and inclusion of participants as well as the Radboudumc Technology Centre for Biostatistics with statistical support. We are thankful for the participation of all children and parents included in this study. We acknowledge the distributors for the license for using the PedsQL‐MFS (Mapi Research Trust, Lyon, France) and HEAR‐QL (The Office of Technology Management, Washington University, St Louis, MO, USA). We also thank the Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Washington University, St Louis, MO, USA, for the collaboration and insights regarding subjective fatigue and hearing‐related quality of life in children with UHL. 3 23,37 Funding Information: This study was supported by the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Radboud University Medical Centre (Radboudumc), Nijmegen, the Netherlands. We acknowledge all researchers, audiologists and psychologists from the Children's Audiology Centre at the Radboudumc who assisted with the selection and inclusion of participants as well as the Radboudumc Technology Centre for Biostatistics with statistical support. We are thankful for the participation of all children and parents included in this study. We acknowledge the distributors for the license for using the PedsQL-MFS3 (Mapi Research Trust, Lyon, France) and HEAR-QL23,37 (The Office of Technology Management, Washington University, St Louis, MO, USA). We also thank the Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Washington University, St Louis, MO, USA, for the collaboration and insights regarding subjective fatigue and hearing-related quality of life in children with UHL. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2022 The Authors. The Laryngoscope published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.",
year = "2023",
month = jan,
doi = "10.1002/lary.30104",
language = "English",
volume = "133",
pages = "189--198",
journal = "Laryngoscope",
issn = "0023-852X",
number = "1",
}