RESUMO
Objective:To investigate the current situation of hearing and the changing trend of hearing loss in all age groups in Hunan Province, and to explore the incidence of age-related hearing impairment and the feasibility of early screening in aging people. Method:A total of 13 681 subjects were divided into different age groups of 31-40 years old, 41-50 years old, 51-60 years old, 61-70 years old, 71-80 years old, and >80 years old. The average value of speech frequency hearing threshold ï¼0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 kHz frequencyï¼ was calculated as an average hearing threshold. 4.0 and 8.0 kHz were high frequency sounds, hearing threshold > 25 dB at 4.0 and 8.0 kHz is the high-frequency pure-tone hearing loss. Result:The proportion of hearing loss was the lowest in the 31-40 years old group ï¼6.8%ï¼, whereas the proportion of hearing loss was the highest in the >80-year-old group ï¼91.6%ï¼. The proportion and degree of hearing loss increased with the increase of age ï¼P<0.05ï¼; the proportion of people with normal speech frequency threshold but with the high-frequency pure-tone hearing loss also increased with the increase of age, the difference between the groups was statistically significant ï¼P<0.05ï¼; the proportion of the speech frequency hearing loss was significantly higher in >60 years old group than that of the 31-60 years old group, and the difference was statistically significant ï¼P<0.05ï¼. Conclusion:The proportion and degree of hearing loss in adult populations in Hunan Province significantly increased with age; hearing loss show up in the early age of the elderly; people with normal speech frequency hearing threshold should also routinely perform the high-frequency hearing test; speech frequency and high-frequency pure-tone hearing testing could be used in early detection of pre-sensual hearing loss, and its extent of routine hearing impairment screening will facilitate early intervention.