Purpose: With an increasing incidence for hearing impairment, it is necessary to search for the psychological impact on patients. Anxiety prevalence may be raised in people with hearing impairment. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of anxiety in hearing loss patients.
Methods A case control study included 100 subjects: 50 controls and 50 subjects diagnosed with hearing loss of variable types, degree, and causes. They underwent audiological and Modified Arabic Beck anxiety inventory questionnaire evaluation. First Pure-Tone Audiometry (PTA) was performed in all frequencies to determine the type and level of hearing impairment, then Beck anxiety inventory questionnaire (Modified Arabic form) was done.
Results The sample collected showed results of 42% single sided hearing loss while, 58% was bilaterally affected. Anxiety was estimated in 68% of hearing impairment patient with a percentage of 41% male and 59% females.
Conclusion Anxiety is a very prevalent problem facing not only subjects with hearing impairment, but also affects a noticeable ratio of apparently normal subjects. So, the psychological assessment and support are needed to be in mind.