The Impact of Unilateral Severe-to-Profound Hearing Loss on Work Productivity and the Need for Recovery After Work.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to investigate work productivity and need for recovery in patients with unilateral severe-to-profound hearing loss (UHL).

METHODS

This study assessed work productivity, need for recovery after work and risk for long-term sick leave in patients on sick leave with the use of validated questionnaires among 50 adults with UHL. Two cognitive tests were conducted to investigate the potential effects of cognitive functioning on work productivity.

RESULTS

Patients with UHL reported reduced work productivity and increased need for recovery after work, with these outcomes being higher than those reported by healthy controls in previous studies. The impact of UHL on cognitive functioning was limited.

CONCLUSIONS

UHL seems to affect work productivity and need for recovery after work. Further research is required to corroborate these findings and assess the effectiveness of rehabilitation.