Changes in hearing in 80-year-old people: a 10-year follow-up study |
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| Authors: | Anne Hietanen Pertti Era Martti Sorri Eino Heikkinen |
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| Affiliation: | 1. The Finnish Centre for Interdisciplinary Gerontology, Department of Health Sciences, University of Jyv?skyl?, Jyv?skyl?;2. LIKES, Research Centre for Sport and Health Sciences, Jyv?skyl?;3. Brain Research and Rehabilitation Centre Neuron, Kuopio;4. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Oulu, Finland |
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| Abstract: | The aims of this prospective 10-year longitudinal populationstudy were to report changes in hearing in peopleaged 80 years at baseline, and to assess such changes bycomparing results from both cross-sectional and longitudinalanalyses. The study population comprised all residentsof the city of Jyväskylä born in 1910 (n=291). The subjects' hearing was tested on three occasions at 5-yearintervals with the use of pure-tone audiometry, speechaudiometry, and self-report on hearing difficulties. Theresults showed a significant deterioration in hearing sensitivityin both the longitudinal and cross-sectionalassessments over the 10-year follow-up. However, thechange in self-assessed hearing difficulties was not signifi-cant. Hearing aids were not used by over 75% of thosewho had moderate hearing impairment. Self-assessedhearing difficulties at baseline were associated withincreased mortality. Hearing deterioration in elderly peopleand their low level of use of hearing aids deservecloser attention in the healthcare system. |
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| Keywords: | Elderly people Hearing impairment Pure-tone audiometry Speech audiometry Hearing disability Longitudinal study Cross-sectional study |
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