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. 2024 Jun;138(6):608-614.
doi: 10.1017/S002221512300213X. Epub 2023 Nov 29.

Changes in audiovestibular handicap following treatment of vestibular schwannomas

Tim Campbell  1 , Shao Jie Goh  2 , Andrea M Wadeson  3 , Simon R Freeman  4 , Scott A Rutherford  3 , Andrew T King  3   5   6   7 , Charlotte L Hammerbeck-Ward  3 , Omar Pathmanaban  3   5 , Helen Entwistle  3 , Judith Bird  8 , Patrick R Axon  8 , David A Moffat  8 , Simon K Lloyd  4   9
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Changes in audiovestibular handicap following treatment of vestibular schwannomas

Tim Campbell et al. J Laryngol Otol. 2024 Jun.

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess degree of audiovestibular handicap in patients with vestibular schwannoma.

Methods: Audiovestibular handicap was assessed using the Hearing Handicap Inventory, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and Dizziness Handicap Inventory. Patients completed questionnaires at presentation and at least one year following treatment with microsurgery, stereotactic radiosurgery or observation. Changes in audiovestibular handicap and factors affecting audiovestibular handicap were assessed.

Results: All handicap scores increased at follow up, but not significantly. The Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and Dizziness Handicap Inventory scores predicted tinnitus and dizziness respectively. The Hearing Handicap Inventory was not predictive of hearing loss. Age predicted Tinnitus Handicap Inventory score and microsurgery was associated with a deterioration in Dizziness Handicap Inventory score.

Conclusion: Audiovestibular handicap is common in patients with vestibular schwannoma, with 75 per cent having some degree of handicap in at least one inventory. The overall burden of handicap was, however, low. The increased audiovestibular handicap over time was not statistically significant, irrespective of treatment modality.

Keywords: Acoustic neuroma; audiology; facial nerve; sensorineural hearing loss; skull base; surgery; tinnitus.

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Conflict of interest statement

None declared

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Histogram showing the distribution of Hearing Handicap Inventory scores. The scores are divided according to severity.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Histogram showing the distribution of Dizziness Handicap Inventory scores. The scores are divided according to severity.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Histogram showing the distribution of Tinnitus Handicap Inventory scores. The scores are divided according to severity.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Scatterplot illustrating the correlation between Hearing Handicap Inventory scores and: (a) pure tone average and (b) speech discrimination scores. The blue dots represent the contralateral ear and the green squares represent the ipsilateral ear. The lines of best fit for the contralateral and ipsilateral ears are shown.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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