Factors associated with symptom-specific psychological and functional impact among acoustic neuroma patients

Joanne Elizabeth Brooker, Jane Madeline Fletcher, Michael J Dally, Robert J Briggs, Vincent C Cousins, Gregory Michael Malham, Richard J Kennedy, Robert I Smee, Susan Burney

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the psychological and functional impact attributed to acoustic neuroma symptoms. Materials and methods: A sample of 207 acoustic neuroma patients completed a study-specific questionnaire about the severity, frequency, and psychological and functional impact of 9 acoustic neuroma symptoms. Results: The survey response rate was 56.4 per cent. All symptoms had some degree of psychological impact for the majority of participants; hearing loss was the symptom most often reported to have a severe psychological impact. The majority of respondents reported functional impact attributed to hearing loss, balance disturbance, dizziness, eye problems, headache and fatigue; balance disturbance was the symptom most often reported to have a severe functional impact. For most symptoms, psychological and functional impact were related to severity and frequency. Conclusion: Of the acoustic neuroma symptoms investigated, hearing loss and balance disturbance were the most likely to have a severe psychological and functional impact, respectively.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)16 - 26
Number of pages11
JournalThe Journal of Laryngology & Otology
Volume128
Issue numberSUPPL S2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014

Cite this