IngentaConnect Prevalence of hearing impairment in people aged 55 years or older...

Abstract:

Objectives. To study the effect of the definition of hearing impairment used on its prevalence when applied to the same population, in order to explain the variations in the literature. Also to study the effect of the standard of the Dutch general practitioners association (NHG) on the number of referrals to the ENT-specialist.

Materials and methods. The study comprised 798 persons (260 women, 538 men) aged 55 years or older, who voluntarily upgraded their driving performance. Pure tone audiometry was performed on all subjects. By means of a structural questionnaire participants were asked about their hearing. The prevalence of hearing impairment was calculated based on the participants subjective impression, Dutch and international audiometric criteria, consultation of a general practitioner and referral to an ENT-specialist.

Results. Sixty-eight women and 257 men reported `moderate' or `bad' hearing. According to the NHG-standard 333 persons (64 women, 269 men) deserved referral to an ENT-specialist. Hearing impairment was reported to the general practitioner by 131 persons (28 women, 103 men) and 91 (20 women, 71 men) were referred to an ENT-specialist. Based on the Dutch health insurance standard (AWBZ) 244 persons (47 women, 197 men) deserved hearing aid refund.

Conclusion. The gross differences in prevalence figures on hearing impairment found in the literature can be explained by the different definitions used. Strict use of the NHG-standard would mean three times as many referrals in our test population.

Keywords: audiometry; otosclerosis; second ear; stapedectomy

Document Type: Abstract

DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2273.1998.0119m.x

Affiliations: 1: Maastricht, The Netherlands

Prevalence of hearing impairment in people aged 55 years or older: effect of the definition used