Self-reported participation restrictions in normal hearing individuals in thyroid ontogeny: Evidence of subclinical changes

PURPOSE: To verify evidence of subclinical alterations through self-reported participation restrictions in normal hearing individuals and congenital hypothyroidism patients. METHODS: An analytical, quantitative, cross-sectional exploratory study with a 1:1 ratio, consisting of a convenience sample of 86 normal hearing individuals with (n = 42) and without (n = 44) congenital hypothyroidism diagnosis. All participants underwent tonal and speech audiometry, immitance and distortion product otoacoustic emissions. The researchers excluded people with hearing loss, genetic syndromes and metabolic diseases. The instrument used for evaluate of self-reported participation restrictions was the HHIE-adapted questionnaire, composed of 25 questions, 12 of which were social domain and 13 emotional domain. Student's t-test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis at a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: There was a significant (p < 0.001) self-reported participation restrictions in CH (61.9%), with a greater relevance for the social domain (p = 0.002). There was a greater frequency of mild/moderate (40.5%) and higher prevalence of association with clinical factors and adherence to treatment. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that self-reported participation restrictions in normal hearing individuals with congenital hypothyroidism was more significant than in the non-exposed group, suggesting evidence of subclinical auditory abnormalities in this population.