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. 2020 Dec 1;15(12):e0243001.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243001. eCollection 2020.

Age-related hearing loss in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Subin Kim  1 , Jung Mee Park  1 , Jae Sang Han  1 , Jae Hyun Seo  1 , Kyung-Do Han  2 , Young Hoon Joo  1 , Kyoung Ho Park  1
Affiliations

Age-related hearing loss in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Subin Kim et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Objectives: Age-related hearing loss (ARHL), also known as presbycusis, is a chronic disorder characterized by impairment of the transduction of acoustic signals. This study analysed the prevalence and demographic characteristics of ARHL in the Korean population.

Methods: We used the data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) from 2009 to 2012 and analysed the association between age and hearing impairment. A total of 16,799 adults were selected for the current study. Physical examinations, blood tests, otoscopic examinations, and hearing tests were performed. The demographic variables included age, gender, obesity, economic status, education level, noise exposure history, and underlying diseases.

Results: Among 16,799 participants, the prevalence of unilateral hearing loss was 8% (1,349 people), and bilateral hearing loss was 5.9% (989 people). Men were 53.4% more likely to have hearing loss than women. Age and underlying diseases, like hypertension, diabetes, and abdominal obesity, were significantly associated with hearing loss (P < 0.0001). Further, mental health factors, such as cognitive function, depression, and suicidal ideation, were related to hearing loss. The prevalence of hearing loss increased with advancing years, especially in the high frequency of 6 kHz, with a sharply increase in patients aged 65 and over.

Conclusion: The analysis of auditory performance in the Korean population confirmed the association of high-frequency hearing loss with advancing age. A threshold of 6 kHz should be included to correctly diagnose hearing impairment in elderly patients. Patients with ARHL should be provided with suitable aural rehabilitation that includes active high-frequency control.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Pure tone average in the better ear at each age (500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz, 3000 Hz, 4000 Hz, and 6000 Hz).
The average value was increased with age at all frequencies, especially at high frequencies.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Prevalence of hearing impairment (more than 25 dB in the better ear) at each frequency by decade age (2009–2012).
The prevalence was steeply increased with age at all frequencies.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Prevalence of moderate hearing impairment (average of pure tone audiometry at 0.5, 1, 2 and 4k Hz more than 40 dB in the better ear).
An increasing prevalence over advancing years was observed regardless of gender.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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