HEALTH RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE OF PEOPLE WHO ARE DEAF OR HARD-OF-HEARING

Abstract

Purpose: Patient groups and healthcare workers repott
that people who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH),
have poorer health and wellbeing. The aim of this
study is to gain insight into the health of DHH people
in the Netherlands.
Methods: The physical and mental health of
participants was measured using the World Health
Organization Quality of Life- Bref scale (WHOQoLBREF).

Patticipants filled out an epidemiological questionnaire
and questions about the mode of language they
generally use. All questionnaires were translated into
two versions of Sign Language of the Netherlands
(NGT) according to a forward- backward translation
protocol, a written version and a sign supported Dutch
(SSD) version of the questionnaire were also provided.
Results: The questionnaires were completed by 274
DHH people. Both deaf and hard of hearing people,
regardless of the age of onset, repo1ted having poorer
physical health than their hearing peers. Hard of
hearing people repo1ted more psychological difficulties
than control group.
Conclusions: It is important that DHH people are
recognized as a patient group with specific health
problems. More research into the nature and effects of
this specific health problems is needed. The creation of
more awareness of these health problems among DHH
people and their healthcare workers essential.