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Country Differences in Older Men's Hearing Difficulty Disadvantage
Shane D Burns1, Jessica S West2,3
1Population Studies Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Journal of Aging and Health
|May 6, 2024
Summary
Men experience more hearing difficulty globally, but this disparity varies significantly by country. Research shows differences in the United States, Mexico, and Korea, highlighting the need for country-specific approaches to hearing health.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Hearing difficulty is a growing concern in aging populations worldwide, with a notable gender disparity observed, particularly among men.
- Existing research on gender differences in hearing impairment lacks comprehensive international comparisons, especially across diverse socio-economic and cultural contexts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare gender disparities in hearing difficulty among older adults (ages 55-89) across the United States, Mexico, and Korea.
- To examine how demographic, social, and health factors influence the observed gender differences in hearing impairment across these countries.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the 2018 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) international family of studies, including 29,480 respondents.
- Employed country-specific ordinal logistic regression models to analyze gender disparities in self-reported hearing difficulty.
- Progressively adjusted models for demographic, social, and health indicators to identify factors contributing to gender differences.
Main Results:
- A consistent hearing difficulty disadvantage for men was observed in the United States.
- In Mexico, the gender disparity in hearing difficulty was initially explained by age-group interactions but reappeared after adjusting for comorbidities.
- No significant gender difference in hearing difficulty was found in Korea across the study period.
Conclusions:
- The prevalence and gender disparity of hearing difficulty in older adults exhibit significant heterogeneity across countries.
- Findings underscore the importance of considering country-specific factors, including socio-demographic variables and health conditions, when addressing gender differences in age-related hearing loss.
- Further research is warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms driving these international variations in men's hearing difficulty disadvantage.
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