Symptoms associated with hearing loss as seen in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Many patients presenting with hearing loss have associated symptoms. The aim of this study was to document these associated symptoms.

Material & Methods: It was a descriptive study carried out between September 2004 and August 2005. All patients diagnosed as having hearing loss, using pure tone audiometry threshold measurement were assessed for associated symptoms apart from the hearing loss.

Results: Among 257 patients with hearing loss, 828 complaints of symptoms were associated with hearing loss in the 432 ears studied. Tinnitus occurred in 222(26.8%) ears, while nasal obstruction and catarrh in 112(13.5%) ears each. Itching and fullness in the ears were the next common symptoms.

Conclusion: A closer look at the other associated symptoms in hearing impaired patients is necessary in the overall management. It also follows that the presence of these associated symptoms may be a pointer to the presence of hearing loss.