Audiogram configurations among older adults: Prevalence and relation to self-reported hearing problems

Abstract

Objective: There are only a few population-based epidemiological studies on audiogram configurations among adults. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of different audiogram configurations among older adults. In addition, audiogram configurations among subjects reporting hearing problems were examined. Design: Cross-sectional, population-based, unscreened epidemiological study among older adults. Study sample: The subjects (n = 850), aged 5466 years, were randomly sampled from the population register. A questionnaire survey, an otological examination, and pure-tone audiometry were performed. Results: The most prevalent audiogram configuration among men was high-frequency steeply sloping (65.3% left ear, 51.2% right ear) and among women, high-frequency gently sloping (33.0% left ear, 31.5% right ear). There were significantly more flat configurations among women than among men. Unclassified audiograms were common especially among women (17.5%). Subjects reporting hearing difficulties, difficulties in following conversation in noise, or tinnitus, more often had a high-frequency steeply sloping configuration than those not reporting. Conclusions: High-frequency sloping audiogram configurations were common among older adults, and a high-frequency steeply sloping configuration was common among those reporting hearing problems. Sumario Objetivo: Existen pocos estudios epidemiolgicos poblacionales sobre la configuracin de los audiogramas en adultos. El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar la prevalencia de diferentes configuraciones audiométricas entre los adultos mayores. Adems se examinaron las configuraciones audiométricas de los sujetos que reportaban problemas auditivos. Diseo: Estudio epidemiolgico transversal basado en poblacin no tamizada entre adultos mayores. Muestra: Los sujetos (n = 850), con edades entre 54 y 66 aos fueron escogidos al azar de un registro poblacional. Se les aplic un cuestionario y se realiz un examen otolgico y una audiometra tonal. Resultados: la configuracin audiométrica ms prevalente en hombres fue la de cada abrupta en frecuencias agudas (65.3% odo izquierdo, 51.2% odo derecho) y entre las mujeres fue la cada suave en frecuencias agudas (33% odo izquierdo y 31.5% odo derecho). La configuracin plana fue significativamente ms frecuente en mujeres que en hombres. Los audiogramas no clasificados fueron comunes, especialmente entre las mujeres (17.5%). Los sujetos que reportaban dificultades auditivas, dificultad para seguir una conversacin en ruido o acfeno presentaban con mayor frecuencia una cada abrupta en frecuencias agudas que aquellos que no lo reportaban. Conclusiones: Las configuraciones audiométricas con cada abrupta en frecuencias agudas fueron ms comunes entre quienes reportaron problemas auditivos. © 2011 British Society of Audiology, International Society of Audiology, and Nordic Audiological Society.