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Objective: To study the impact of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) on hearing deterioration among ageing adults in a longitudinal setting. Furthermore, to describe the pure tone threshold changes at the 0.125–8 kHz frequency range over 13 years. Design: A population-based follow-up study. Study sample: A random sample of 850 adults, of whom 559 participated in the follow-up study. Otological examination, a structured interview, and pure tone audiometry were conducted. Multivariate regression models were used to estimate the effect of CVD (participants had at least one cardiovascular condition) on hearing deterioration of the better ear hearing level (BEHL), defined as a change in the pure-tone average (PTA) of the frequencies 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz and separately at the lower (0.125, 0.25, and 0.5 kHz) and higher (4, 6, and 8 kHz) frequencies. Results: In the multivariable-adjusted analysis, the BEHL change at 13 years was 0.7 dB greater among participants with CVD (p = 0.3). The mean BEHL change during the 13-year follow-up was 12.0 dB (95% CI 11.4–12.6) among all participants. Conclusions: No significant association between CVD and hearing threshold changes was found.

The Saami are the only indigenous population in Europe and their traditional living area is northern Scandinavia. Hearing impairment (HI) among Saami has not been studied before. The objective was to investigate the presence and type of HI among Saami adults, aged 49–77 years (median age 61 years), living in northern Finland. In addition, the presence of self-reported hearing difficulties, difficulties to hear in background noise and tinnitus were studied. An epidemiological, cross-sectional study encompassing a structured interview, otological examination and audiometry was performed. Bilateral HI was present in 42.9% of men and 29.4% of women, when HI was defined as a pure tone average (PTA) of at least 20 dB hearing level (HL) or more at the frequencies of 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz. In one or both ears (worse ear hearing level, WEHL0.5,1,2,4≥20 dB HL) HI was present in 61.8% of men and 42.2% of women. Sensorineural high frequency hearing impairment was found to be most common. Nearly half (46.9%) of the study subjects reported hearing problems and more than half (55.6%) reported difficulties in following conversation in background noise. Measured HI and subjective hearing difficulties are common among the Saami adults. The healthcare personnel working in this area should be aware of the hearing problems of the Saami population.