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Hearing levels among elderly nursing home residents
The Journal of Speech and Hearing Disorders
|February 1, 1980
Summary
Hearing loss is prevalent in nursing home residents, with 82% experiencing some degree of hearing sensitivity loss. This age-related hearing decline significantly worsens with each decade from the 60s to the 90s.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Gerontology
- Public Health
Background:
- Hearing impairment is a common condition in the elderly population.
- Nursing home residents represent a vulnerable group with potentially high rates of hearing loss.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the specific frequency and degree of hearing loss in elderly nursing home residents.
- To analyze hearing loss data by age group, sex, and ear.
Main Methods:
- Audiometric evaluation of 202 nursing home residents across five facilities.
- Calculation of pure tone averages (PTA) at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz for the better ear.
- Analysis of hearing loss prevalence using PTA cutoffs of 26 dB and 40 dB.
Main Results:
- A significant deterioration in hearing levels was observed in each decade from the 60s to the 90s.
- 82% of subjects had a hearing loss (PTA > 26 dB), with 48% having a severe loss (PTA > 40 dB).
- Collapsed ear canals may slightly overestimate hearing loss prevalence in this population.
Conclusions:
- Age-related hearing loss is a substantial issue among elderly nursing home residents.
- Hearing sensitivity declines progressively with age, impacting a large majority of this demographic.
- Further research should account for factors like collapsed ear canals for accurate hearing loss assessment.