Prevalence and incidence of hearing impairment among adults: a 13-year follow-up study. (1st September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lohi, Venla; Ohtonen, Pasi; Sorri, Martti; Mäki-Torkko, Elina; Hannula, Samuli
• Is Part Of: International journal of audiology. Volume 60:Number 9(2021)
• Page Start: 687
• Page End: 694
• Publication Date: 2021-09-01
• Subjects: Aging -- demographics/epidemiology -- prevalence -- incidence; Audiology -- Periodicals; Hearing disorders -- Periodicals; Deafness -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Hearing Disorders -- Periodicals; Hearing -- Periodicals; 617.8
• DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2020.1865581
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1499-2027

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and incidence of hearing impairment (HI) in a longitudinal setting among adults. Design: An unscreened, population-based epidemiological 13-year follow-up study. Study sample: 850 randomly sampled 54 to 66-year-old baseline participants, of whom 559 participated in the follow-up study at the age of 68 to 79 years. A questionnaire-based interview, an otological examination and pure-tone audiometry were performed. Results: The overall prevalence of HI was 70.3%, defined by better ear hearing level (BEHL) ≥ 20 dB in the 0.5-4 kHz frequency range. The prevalence was higher among men (78.6%) than among women (63.7%). The overall incidence rate for HI was 45.8 per 1000 person years and the 13-year cumulative incidence was 60.9%. The incidence was higher among men and older participants. Conclusion: HI is highly prevalent and incident among older adults in Northern Finland.