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Audiologic Assessment in Adults With Down Syndrome
Pasqualina M Picciotti1, Angelo Carfì1, Roberta Anzivino1
1Pasqualina M. Picciotti, Angelo Carfì, Roberta Anzivino, Gaetano Paludetti, Guido Conti, Vincenzo Brandi, Roberto Bernabei, and Graziano Onder, Department of Gerontology, Neurosciences, Head and Neck and Orthopedics, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
Hearing loss is common in adults with Down syndrome (DS), affecting 65.3% of individuals and increasing with age. This suggests a precocious aging of the auditory system, highlighting the need for regular hearing evaluations in this population.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Genetics
- Gerontology
Background:
- Increased life expectancy in individuals with Down syndrome (DS) is linked to accelerated age-related changes.
- Understanding age-related health issues, particularly sensory decline, is crucial for improving quality of life in adults with DS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess auditory function in adults with Down syndrome.
- To determine the prevalence of hearing loss in this specific demographic.
Main Methods:
- Audiometric tests were conducted on 72 adults with DS (mean age 37.3 years).
- Pure tone average (PTA) thresholds at 0.5-1-2-4 kHz were calculated; hearing loss defined as PTA > 20 dB HL.
- Higher frequencies (4 and 8 kHz) were also evaluated.
Main Results:
- Hearing loss was identified in 47 participants (65.3%).
- Prevalence of hearing loss significantly increased with age, from 42.86% (20-29 years) to 90.91% (50-59 years).
- Impairment was more frequent at higher frequencies (4 and 8 kHz).
Conclusions:
- Hearing loss is highly prevalent in adults with Down syndrome.
- The pattern of hearing loss suggests premature aging of the auditory system.
- Routine auditory evaluations are strongly recommended for adults with DS.
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