Hearing Screening in the Elderly: Preliminary Results

Abstract

Objectives:

Presbycusis is hearing impairment resulting from aging. Hearing-impaired elderly are more likely to experience emotional distress, social engagement restrictions, and depression. Hearing loss also affects posture and balance and predisposes patients to falls. In comparison to universal screening of newborns, efforts for early diagnosis and prevention of hearing loss in the elderly are still insufficient. A prevalence study of disabling hearing loss in a developing country detected 30% of affected elderly. The aim of the study was to perform a screening of disabling hearing loss (DHL) in the elderly in a city of a population of 500,000 and to detect hearing loss in the elderly without diagnosis and offer them audiologic rehabilitation.

Methods:

A cross-sectional population screening of 70,000 elderly individuals of which approximately 21,000 are probably hearing impaired and about 12,000 are in need of some kind of rehabilitation. The work consists of promoting a city campaign to submit all citizens over 60 years to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) consultation, including audiometric tests and survey applications.

Results:

In the first year, 4080 examinations were performed. Of these, 960 had indication for hearing aids. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive and exploratory techniques of data.

Conclusions:

The preliminary results indicated a high prevalence of hearing impaired aged adults in whom medical intervention (rehabilitation) can potentially prevent further complications and co morbid conditions. In future perhaps we will have evidence to recommend universal screening in everyone above 65 years.