Risk Factors For Hearing Decline From Childhood To Early Adolescence
Danique E Paping1,2, Berthe C Oosterloo1,2, Hanan El Marroun3,4
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
The Laryngoscope
|May 19, 2022
Summary
Alcohol consumption and lower educational levels are linked to hearing decline in children aged 9–13. These findings highlight the importance of addressing risky behaviors and socioeconomic factors to prevent childhood hearing loss.
Area of Science:
- Audiology and Otolaryngology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Hearing decline in childhood can have long-term impacts on development and quality of life.
- Identifying early risk factors is crucial for timely intervention and prevention strategies.
- Prospective cohort studies provide valuable insights into developmental changes and associated factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify sociodemographic, health, and lifestyle-related risk factors for hearing decline between the ages of 9 and 13 years.
- To investigate the association between specific behaviors and environmental factors with changes in hearing acuity during preadolescence and early adolescence.
Main Methods:
- A population-based prospective cohort study was conducted in the Netherlands.
- Pure-tone audiometry and tympanometry were used to assess hearing at ages 9 and 13.
- Hearing decline was defined as a ≥5 dB increase in pure-tone average in either low or high frequencies; multivariable logistic regression analyzed risk factor associations.
Main Results:
- Of 3,508 participants, 7.8% experienced low-frequency and 11.3% high-frequency hearing decline.
- Alcohol consumption was associated with increased odds of low-frequency hearing decline (OR 1.5).
- Lower educational level was linked to increased odds of high-frequency hearing decline (OR 1.4).
Conclusions:
- Lower educational level and alcohol consumption are significant risk factors for hearing decline in children transitioning to adolescence.
- These findings support the development of public health interventions targeting modifiable risk factors to prevent early-onset hearing loss.
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