Perceptions of the Impact of Speech, Language, Swallowing, and Hearing Difficulties on Quality of Life of a Group of South African Persons with Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

The present study investigated perceptions of speech, language, swallowing, and hearing difficulties and the relative impact of these problems on quality of life (QOL) in a group of South African persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). A questionnaire was used to elicit information regarding the difficulties experienced and the perceptions of their influence on QOL. Of the 30 respondents, 56.7% experienced speech problems and 63.3% reported language difficulties, with 62% of those feeling that these speech and language difficulties impacted on QOL. Fifty percent reported swallowing problems with 53% of those perceiving an influence on QOL. Twenty-three percent of participants experienced hearing problems with 44% expressing the view that their QOL was influenced. These findings are discussed with regard to their implications for the education and counselling of individuals with MS and their families, incorporation of speech-language pathologists and audiologists into management teams, and further research.

Audiovestibular Symptoms in Systemic Autoimmune Diseases

“…This alteration is due to an abnormal auditory processing, such as problems with dichotic listening tasks and auditory temporal processing [126]. Performance of chronic MS subjects in speech reception threshold (SRT) is normal in the standard clinical level (70 dB above the SRT); however, when lower levels are used, performance significantly decreases compared to age-matched controls suggesting a deficit in cognitive processing, such as attention and auditory discrimination, which is especially required in binaural integration of sound [127]. …”

Swallowing Difficulties Reported by Adults Infected with HIV/AIDS Attending a Hospital Outpatient Clinic in Gauteng, South Africa

“…The participants' responses were consistent with previous studies which have shown that eating and drinking are social events that are symbolic of friendship, acceptance and community spirit [43] . Swallowing difficulties may therefore induce distressing psychosocial responses for example anxiety, fear, embarrassment, reduced self-esteem [44] and a loss of enjoyment or pleasure with eating [45] .…”

Lebensqualität bei Multipler Sklerose

“…Die scheinbar für die psychische Lebensqualität bedeutsamen Sprachstörungen sind aus der Literatur bekannt [9]. Zur Linderung wäre eine intensive logopädische Anbindung zu empfehlen.…”

“…Erste Schritte in diese Richtung sind bereits unternommen (z. B. MSNetz in NRW [9]). Abzuwarten bleibt, welche Früchte diese Projekte für die MS-Betroffenen tragen werden.…”