Research Information System
Journal of Ear Nose Throat and Head Neck Surgery, vol.33, no.2, pp.70-78, 2025 (Scopus)
Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate self-reported listening effort and fatigue in patients diagnosed with superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD). Material and Methods: A total of 52 patients diagnosed with SSCD syndrome (47 females and 5 males; mean age: 46.27 years) were included in this study. Recruitment was conducted through Facebook. Participants completed six validated self-report questionnaires: the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults (HHIA), the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), the Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence Questionnaire (SSCDQ), the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS), and the Effort Assessment Scale (EAS). Results: The study revealed significant positive correlations between each of the following: the HHIA, THI, DHI, and SSCDQ, and each of the FAS and the EAS. Moreover, significant correlations existed between the duration of patients' symptoms and both the SSCDQ and DHI. Conclusion: This study has shown that symptoms resulting from SSCD correlated with self-reported listening effort and fatigue. The presence of symptoms such as hearing loss, dizziness, and tinnitus affects cognitive tasks, contributing to patients’ heightened perception of increased listening effort and fatigue. Healthcare providers should engage in discussions with patients about these experiences to enhance their understanding and help develop effective coping strategies.