An investigation into hearing loss among patients of 50 years or older

Abstract Objects To investigate the extent of hearing loss in an elderly sample population to estimate hearing disorders among the age–equivalent population in China and to study primary clinical characteristics of presbycusis. Methods Clinical data from 110 hearing loss patients of both senium and pre–senium ages (95 males and 15 females, mean age = 74.4±12.1 years) were reviewed. Patients aged from 50 to 59 years were accepted as the pre–senium control group (n=15). The 95 senium patients (> 60 years of age) were divided into 4 groups according to age: 60 + group(60 to 69 years, n=25), 70 + group (70 to79 years, n=26), 80 + group (80 to 89 years, n=32) and 90 + group (90 years or older, n=12). Pure tone audiometry thresholds were measured in all 110 patients. Hearing loss severity of each tested ear was rated according to the Goodman classification criteria. Besides, audiometric configuration was examined in each ear. Results Audiometric testing showed normal hearing in 65 ears (29.5%), slight to moderately severe hearing loss in 131 ears (59.5%), and severe and profound loss in 24 ears (11%). Air–bone gaps were found in 12 ears (5.45%) indicating conductive hearing loss. Except the 12 ears with conductive hearing loss, audiograms showed gradually sloping loss in 99 ears (45%), sharply sloping loss in 34 ears (15.45%), flat loss in 45 ears (20.45%), notch pattern loss in 5 ears (2.27%), trough and rising pattern loss in 2 ears (0.91%), total deafness in 2 ears (0.91%), and normal hearing in 21 ears(9.55%). On average, hearing thresholds increased at a rate of approximately 10 dB per 10 year for subjects aged 60 and older. Conclusions Hearing thresholds tend to be stable in presbycusis patients aged from 50 to 70 years, increase significantly between 70 and 80 years of age, and reach another stable stage at high levels after 80 years of age, especially in high frequencies. Hearing loss in middle frequencies accounts for most of recession in loudness perception.