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Prevalence of hearing loss in older adults in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. The Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study
- Source :
- American journal of epidemiology. 148(9)
- Publication Year :
- 1998
-
Abstract
- There are no recent population-based data on the prevalence of hearing loss in older adults using standard audiometric testing. The population-based Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study was designed to measure the prevalence of hearing loss in adults aged 48-92 years, residing in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. Hearing thresholds were measured with standardized protocols using pure-tone air- and bone-conduction audiometry in sound-treated booths. The examination also included an otoscopic evaluation, screening tympanogram, and a questionnaire on hearing-related medical history, noise exposure, other potential risk factors, and self-perceived hearing handicap. Of the 4,541 eligible people, 3,753 (82.6%) participated in the hearing study (1993-1995). The average age of participants was 65.8 years, and 57.7% were women. The prevalence of hearing loss was 45.9%. The odds of hearing loss increased with age (odds ratio (OR) = 1.88 for 5 years, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.80-1.97) and were greater for men than women (OR = 4.42, 95% CI 3.73-5.24). The male excess of hearing loss remained statistically significant after adjusting for age, education, noise exposure, and occupation (OR = 3.65). These results demonstrate that hearing loss is a very common problem affecting older adults. Epidemiologic studies are needed to understand the genetic, environmental, and sex-related determinants of age-related hearing loss and to identify potential intervention strategies.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Male
medicine.medical_specialty
Urban Population
Epidemiology
Hearing loss
Population
Audiology
Hearing Loss, Bilateral
Wisconsin
Risk Factors
Surveys and Questionnaires
otorhinolaryngologic diseases
medicine
Odds Ratio
Prevalence
Humans
Medical history
education
Aged
Retrospective Studies
Aged, 80 and over
education.field_of_study
medicine.diagnostic_test
business.industry
Hearing Tests
Retrospective cohort study
Odds ratio
Middle Aged
Confidence interval
Social Class
Female
Audiometry
medicine.symptom
business
Follow-Up Studies
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 00029262
- Volume :
- 148
- Issue :
- 9
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- American journal of epidemiology
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....afd8b112f547fe4bf19cd9d96302c711