Protocol for a systematic narrative synthesis of children and adolescents’ experiences of vertigo, mild-to-moderate hearing loss, and tinnitus

Sparrow, Amy ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-5329-9048 (2025) Protocol for a systematic narrative synthesis of children and adolescents’ experiences of vertigo, mild-to-moderate hearing loss, and tinnitus. Octopus.

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Abstract

Ménière’s Disease is a rare and severe balance disorder that causes vertigo, progressive and fluctuating hearing loss, and tinnitus (Basura et al., 2020). It affects 50-200 per 100,000, but only 3% are diagnosed aged under eighteen (da Costa et al., 2002). It is considered by clinical guidelines to be ‘one of the most debilitating conditions that do not require institutionalization’ (Basura et al., 2020 p. 419). However, there is little research on the experience of children and adolescents. An exploratory literature search between 2000 and 2024 found no studies investigating young people’s lived experiences of Ménière’s Disease, or how this can influence their psychological wellbeing. The psychological wellbeing of individuals is important to explore due to its important contribution to a well-lived life, influencing a range of domains including physical and mental health, achievement, and satisfaction (Adler et al., 2017; Ruggeri et al., 2020). Research regarding adults with Ménière’s Disease, and young people with one of its main symptoms, rare medical conditions, or chronic illnesses suggest that the psychological impact can be profound (e.g. Deissler et al., 2017; Somanadhan et al., 2023; Talewar et al., 2020; Wicks et al., 2019). Common themes in these often-sparse literature bases include stigma, social isolation, mental ill-health, and negative emotions, but also, encouragingly, resilience and post traumatic growth. Although Meniere’s Disease is rarely diagnosed in the paediatric age group, its severity and the correspondingly severe potential psychological consequences justify the resources required for research.