[Current status and distribution of deafness in the elderly in several cities in China]

To survey the current status and distribution of deafness and its effect on daily life activities in the old population.

Eight thousand two hundred and fifty-two elderly aged 60 years and above in the urban and rural areas of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xi'an and Shenyang were investigated, using a clustered random sampling methods.

Overall crude prevalence of deafness in the elderly was found to be 33.7%, but the self-reported crude prevalence was low, only 47.1% when shown by medical examination. Crude prevalence rates were increasing with ageing, with 21.6%, 30.0%, 35.6%, 42.6%, 55.5% and 61.6% respectively (P < 0.01) in the age groups of 60-, 65-, 70-, 75-, 80-, 85- years old. Rate of deafness was highest in Beijing (58.5%), among the in-house workers (48.9%) and the lowest in scientists, teacher and health workers (28.5%). Logistic regression analysis showed that the crude prevalence was related to ageing, profession and area (P respective < 0.01).

The prevalence of deafness was high in the elderly which increased with ageing with different areas, professions and the level of education. It was lower when self-reported than shown by medical examination. Prevention and treatment of deafness in the elderly should be strengthened.