Hearing Problems in Indonesia: Attention to Hypertensive Adults

Abstract

Known as a silent disability, hearing loss is one of the major health burdens worldwide. Evidence implies that those suffering from hypertension can experience hearing disturbances. Self-reporting of hearing problems and self-reporting of hypertension may be useful in providing an alarm for detecting hearing problems. However, in the Indonesian population, this matter has not been properly reported. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of hearing problems and their relationships with other demographic factors. In total, 28,297 respondents of productive age from the Indonesian Family Life Survey 5th wave were assessed. A questionnaire and physical examination data were included in this survey. Self-reported hearing problems and their predictors were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regressions. Hypertension awareness was a significant predictor of having a hearing problem (odds ratio (OR) [95% confidence interval (CI)], p value: 2.715 [1.948~3.785], <0.001). Having a general check-up was also crucial for detecting hearing problems (2.192 [1.54~3.121], <0.001). There was a significant link between hearing problems and early adults who have isolated systolic hypertension. Hypertension awareness and having a general check-up had predictive value for detecting hearing problems in adults in the age range of 26~35 years. Therefore, public health strategies for hearing loss prevention might target this group by detecting and treating hypertension.