Özet:

Objective: To determine the effect of tinnitus and vertigo symptoms on quality of life in the long term after medical treatment in individuals with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Material and Methods: The study included 18-65 years old 63 patients (20 women-43 men) who were diagnosed with idiopathic sudden hearing loss at Ear Nose and Throat Diseases Polyclinic of İnönü University Turgut Özal Medical Center and had at least 20 dB HL improvement in the mean pure tone threshold as a result of the medical treatment. A Demographic Data Form, the Dizziness Handicap Inventory, the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, and the Multidimensional Index of Life Quality were administered to all participants. The patients were assigned into two groups as those with dizziness and tinnitus symptoms (n=33) and those without symptoms (n=30). Results: No statistically significant difference was found between the symptomatic and nonsymptomatic groups according to age, time from diagnosis and gender (p>0.05). The groups show a homogeneous distribution according to age, time since diagnosis and gender. Index of Life Quality Scale physical health scores, mental health scores, interpersonal relations scores, and total score were significantly higher in the non-symptomatic group than in the symptomatic group (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of access to health personnel scores, financial status scores, and social function scores (p>0.05). Conclusion: Although there was improvement in hearing thresholds after treatment in individuals with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus and vertigo symptoms could persist in the long term and these symptoms had a serious negative impact on the individual's quality of life. These individuals should be followed up after treatment and holistic evaluations should be made with audiovestibular tests. The quality of life of individuals can be increased by applying appropriate treatment/rehabilitation with a multidisciplinary approach.

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