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Updated: Jul 10, 2026
08:47
Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
Hearing in the elderly: a population study
A Martini1, M Mazzoli, M Rosignoli
1Servizio di Audiologia, Clinica ORL dell' Università di Ferrara, Italy.
Audiology : Official Organ of the International Society of Audiology
|January 10, 2002
Summary
Speech audiometry effectively identifies hearing difficulties in older adults, correlating with self-assessed disability. This method is valuable for assessing age-related hearing decline beyond simple detection thresholds.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Audiology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Age-related hearing loss is a significant issue impacting the elderly's quality of life.
- Understanding the relationship between objective hearing measures and self-perceived disability is crucial for effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare speech audiometry with self-assessed hearing disability in older adults.
- To analyze factors influencing quality of life in the elderly, with a focus on auditory function.
- To evaluate the utility of speech audiometry in assessing age-related hearing deficits.
Main Methods:
- An epidemiological study was conducted on 2700 independently living individuals aged 65+ in the Veneto region, Italy.
- Participants underwent home-based assessments including speech audiometry, Sanders' Speech Disability test, Mini Mental State Examination, and other health evaluations.
- Analysis focused on auditory performance, self-reported disability, and error patterns in speech audiometry.
Main Results:
- Auditory function significantly deteriorates in individuals over 75 years of age.
- Speech audiometry results showed a strong correlation with self-reported auditory disability (Sanders' test).
- Age-related hearing deficits encompass more than increased detection thresholds, including sound distortion and speech comprehension issues.
Conclusions:
- Speech audiometry is a reliable indicator of actual hearing difficulties experienced by the elderly.
- It may be preferable to pure-tone audiometry for capturing the multifaceted nature of age-related hearing loss.
- Findings support the use of speech audiometry for a comprehensive assessment of hearing in older populations.
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