Abstract
ObjectivesAge-related hearing loss (ARHL), also known as presbycusis, is a chronic disorder characterized by impairment of the transduction of acoustic signals. This study analysed the prevalence and demographic characteristics of ARHL in the Korean population.MethodsWe used the data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) from 2009 to 2012 and analysed the association between age and hearing impairment. A total of 16,799 adults were selected for the current study. Physical examinations, blood tests, otoscopic examinations, and hearing tests were performed. The demographic variables included age, gender, obesity, economic status, education level, noise exposure history, and underlying diseases.ResultsAmong 16,799 participants, the prevalence of unilateral hearing loss was 8% (1,349 people), and bilateral hearing loss was 5.9% (989 people). Men were 53.4% more likely to have hearing loss than women. Age and underlying diseases, like hypertension, diabetes, and abdominal obesity, were significantly associated with hearing loss (P < 0.0001). Further, mental health factors, such as cognitive function, depression, and suicidal ideation, were related to hearing loss. The prevalence of hearing loss increased with advancing years, especially in the high frequency of 6 kHz, with a sharply increase in patients aged 65 and over.ConclusionThe analysis of auditory performance in the Korean population confirmed the association of high-frequency hearing loss with advancing age. A threshold of 6 kHz should be included to correctly diagnose hearing impairment in elderly patients. Patients with ARHL should be provided with suitable aural rehabilitation that includes active high-frequency control.
Highlights
We used the data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) from 2009 to 2012 and analysed the association between age and hearing impairment
The analysis of auditory performance in the Korean population confirmed the association of high-frequency hearing loss with advancing age
Patients with Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) should be provided with suitable aural rehabilitation that includes active high-frequency control
Summary
Age-related hearing loss (ARHL), known as presbycusis, is a chronic disorder characterized by impairment of the transduction of acoustic signals. As the auditory organ ages, poor sound discrimination occurs due to increases in the hearing threshold and decreases in central nervous system processing [1]. Multiple factors, such as a loss of hair cells in the cochlea, metabolic disturbances by dysfunction of the stria vascularis, and degeneration of the spiral ganglion cells associated with aging, lead to difficulty in cochlear amplification. The chief patient complaint is usually difficulty understanding during conversations rather than hearing impairment itself and leads to low discrimination scores in the speech-in-noise test When it progresses to 2–4 kHz, it affects speech understanding in most situations [3]
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