Prevalence and Regional Variations of Visual and Auditory Impairments Among Elderly Individuals in the Faroe Islands: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Aging is associated with the potential onset of vision and hearing problems, affecting the quality of life and functional independence of older adults. This study sought to investigate the prevalence of various vision and hearing problems in 76-year-old Faroese individuals and examine possible regional variations in these health issues.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study design was used, surveying 175 participants, all 76-year-olds, from different regions in the Faroe Islands. Data were collected on demographics, educational level, and marital status, as well as seven indicators of vision problems and eight indicators of hearing problems. Differences by gender and region were tested by Pearson chi squared test and Fisher's exact test, Bonferroni corrected for multiple comparisons.

Results: Problems with seeing and hearing were widespread, difficulty reading small print was reported by 58% of participants, and 51% reported less than "good" hearing. Despite the high prevalence of issues, no significant difference was found between genders in terms of problem frequency.

Conclusion: This study underscores the high prevalence of vision and hearing issues among 76-year-old Faroese individuals, with no gender differences observed. The detected regional variations necessitate further investigation to better understand and address these health issues in older adults. Policymakers and health professionals should consider these findings in designing interventions to improve older adults' sensory health.

Keywords: Faroe Islands; aging; hearing problems; prevalence; regional variations; vision problems.