Beck Depression Inventory-II in Hearing Impaired Elderly Patients: A Presbycusis Study

Abstract

Background and Objective: Hearing impairment is one of the most common sensory deficits in human communities. Recent studies have shown that presbycusis happens earlier than before. Hearing loss due to the aging process, or presbycusis, can cause inability to interpret sounds in speech, decreased ability to communicate and withdrew from society. Therefore these factors may lead to psychological problems such as depression. Since there are few studies evaluating the side effects of presbycusis in Iran, we started the study of depression in presbycusis clients referred to the audiology clinics of Isfahan University of medical science, Isfahan, Iran. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the relationship between demographic characteristics and depression was determined. In order to collect information and evaluate depression, Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) was utilized and conducted on 35 cases. Results: Results indicated that 8.6fcr% had minimal depression, 14.3% with mild, 20.0% moderate depression and 57.1% had severe depression. No significant correlation between age, gender and depression was achieved. Conclusion: Using depression questionnaire such as BDI-II during aural rehabilitation process could be valuable. More complications were found in acceptance of hearing aids in elderly people with depression. Psychological treatment can be suitable while audiological management was accomplished simultaneously for this group.