scholarly journals Hearing loss among elderly people and access to hearing aids: a cross-sectional study from a rural area in Germany

Author(s):  
Birgit Didczuneit-Sandhop ◽  
Katarzyna Jóźwiak ◽  
Manja Jolie ◽  
Josefine Holdys ◽  
Michael Hauptmann

Abstract Purpose Hearing loss is common and associated with reduced quality of life, particularly among elderly people. However, many patients do not use hearing aids. We evaluated the use of hearing aids among people with hearing loss by health services availability near their residence in a rural area in the state of Brandenburg, Germany. Methods Audiometry was performed in a convenience sample of subjects in ten towns and hearing loss was determined, defined as a threshold of ≥ 30 dB in at least one ear and at least one of the frequencies 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 kHz. For each participant, age and gender were collected and whether or not hearing aids were available. Results Among 186 persons with an average age of 74 years (interquartile range 71–81), 97% had hearing loss [95% confidence interval (CI) 95–100]. Among 121 patients with hearing loss who reported whether or not they have a hearing aid, 93 had no hearing aid (77%, 95% CI 69–84). The proportion of hearing-impaired persons who do not have a hearing aid significantly increased with the absence of a hearing aid specialist or ear nose throat (ENT) physician or both in the town where the tests were performed (p trend = 0.001). Conclusion Hearing loss is common among elderly people in the study area and many people in rural areas in Germany may not be properly supplied with hearing aids due to lack of hearing aid specialists and/or ENT physicians close to their residence. Interventions to improve this situation are urgently required.

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (12) ◽  
pp. 2729-2733
Author(s):  
Rabia Saleem Safdar ◽  
M Faisal Mehar ◽  
Madiha Naz ◽  
Afsheen Asghar Khan ◽  
Nusrat Buzdar ◽  
...  

Objectives: To determine the frequency of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in children with bacterial meningitis. Study Design: Cross Sectional study. Setting: Department of Paediatric Medicine Nishtar Hospital, Multan. Period: October 2019 to March 2020. Material & Methods: The study was conducted after permission from ethical committee. A total of 151 patients admitted with bacterial meningitis were enrolled. Apart from the presenting complaints, necessary information like the age and gender were noted. Examination of the child was done to assess the condition of child. Brainstem evoked response audiometry (BERA) test was performed before discharge of the patient from the hospital. The outcome variable that is SNHL in bacterial meningitis assessed by BERA test was noted in a specifically designed Performa. Results: Out of total of 151 patients, males were 83 (55%) while females 68 (45%). Overall mean age was 11.85+6.12 months. SNHL was found in 26 (17.2%) children. There was no significant effect of age or gender on the frequencies of SNHL. Conclusion: SNHL is a frequently encountered complication in our population of children with bacterial meningitis. SNHL should be carefully sought out and properly diagnosed in all the patients presenting with bacterial meningitis.


2012 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-108
Author(s):  
Mohammad Nasimul Jamal ◽  
Ali Imam Ahsan ◽  
Mohammed Sattar ◽  
Md Abul Hasnat Joarder

Introduction: Deafness is the invisible disability and the commonest human sensory defects.  It leads to difficult speech development, poor educational and employment prospects of  chilhood. Comprehensive otologic and audiological evaluations are very much essential for  etiological assessment of hearing impaired children and management efficacy.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with the aim to evaluate the etiological  factors, degree of hearing loss, type of hearing loss, and results of aided audiogram among  the below 12 years deaf children. The study included 100 deaf children below 12 years with  history of deafness and non-development of speech.Result: The etiology of deaf Children was diverse. Infection was the predominating etiological  factor (38%). The infections were: measles (31.5%), pneumonia (26.2%), typhoid (21.5%),  maternal rubella (5.2%), varicella (5.2%), mumps (5.2%) and meningitis (5.2%). 48% of deaf  child had a parental suspicion of deafness below the one year of age. 35% had a positive  family history and 32% had history of consanguinal marriage. The deaf children were managed  with hearing device, among them 89% with hearing aid and 11% with cochlear implant 42.7% of child used hearing aid in both ears. The results of aided audiogram reflected that, the gain  after using hearing aid within 31-60 dB were 80%. 10% in right ear, 71.10% in left year and  70.00% in both ears, so average gain after using hearing aid was 74% within 31- 60 dB. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjo.v18i2.11981 Bangladesh J Otorhinolaryngol 2012; 18(2): 103-108


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jae Sang Han ◽  
Yong-Ho Park ◽  
Jae-Jun Song ◽  
Il Joon Moon ◽  
Woojoo Lee ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Despite the increasing prevalence of hearing loss, the cost and psychological barriers to use of hearing aids may prevent individuals with hearing loss from using these aids. Hearing loss patients can benefit from smartphone-based hearing aid applications (SHAAs), which are smartphone applications that use a mobile device as sound amplifier. OBJECTIVE The aims of this study were to determine how ear, nose and throat (ENT) outpatients perceived SHAAs, analyze factors that affected this, and estimate costs of annual subscription to an application through a self-administered questionnaire survey of smartphone users and hearing specialists. METHODS The study employed cross-sectional, multi-center survey of both ENT outpatients and hearing specialists. The questionnaire was designed to collect personal information about the respondents as well as responses to 18 questions concerning SHAAs in 5 domains: knowledge, needs, cost, expectations, and information. Questions about the expected cost of SHAAs were included in the questionnaire distributed to hearing experts. RESULTS Among 219 smartphone users and 42 hearing specialists, only eight respondents (3.7%) recognized SHAAs, while 47 of 261 respondents (21.5%) reported considering using an assistive device to improve their hearing capacities. Average perception score was 2.81 (95% CI 2.65-2.97), lower than the grade point average of 3. Among factors that shaped perceptions of SHAAs, the needs category received the lowest scores (2.02, 95% CI 1.83-2.20) whereas the cost category received the highest scores (3.29, 95% CI 3.14-3.44). Age was correlated with the information domain (P = .000) and an increased level of hearing impairment resulted in significantly higher points in the needs category (P = .000). Patients expected the cost of an annual application subscription to an SHAA to be about 86 USD, and predicted cost was associated with economic status (P = .200) and was noticeably higher than the prices expected by hearing specialists (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Outpatients expected SHAAs to cost more than hearing specialists. However, SHAA perception was relatively low. In this regard, enhanced awareness of SHAAs is required to popularize SHAAs. CLINICALTRIAL None


Author(s):  
V. Pragadeesh Raja ◽  
G. Ravivarman ◽  
E. Venmathi ◽  
M. Salomi

Background: Mosquito are one of the well known causing many diseases like Malaria, Dengue, Chikungunya, Lymphatic Filariasis, Japanese Encephalitis. They are more prevalent in rural area due to various social factors and lack of knowledge. The objective of this study was to assess knowledge of people and their practices regarding mosquito borne diseases in rural areas of Kancheepuram district, Tamilnadu. Materials and Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted among the residents of Pooncheri, Kancheepuram district of Tamilnadu, between the period of August 2017 to September 2017 among 124 houses selected. After obtaining informed consent from the participants they were interviewed using a pretested semi structured questionnaire regarding their knowledge and practices on mosquito borne diseases. Results: The study reported that in case of any symptoms suspected to be of mosquito born disease majority of the study population 82.2% reported consulting doctors.  The most preferred mode of prevention of mosquito bite was usage of spray (33.9%) in the breeding place followed by usage of electric repellents (31.4%). Conclusion: The study indicated that majority of the study population were unaware bout the prevention practices despite knowing about these diseases. Thus, arises the need for effective propagation in the rural area about prevention strategies of mosquito born disease through mass education and social media.


BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. e019615 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaun Scholes ◽  
Jane Biddulph ◽  
Adrian Davis ◽  
Jennifer S. Mindell

BackgroundHearing loss impacts on cognitive, social and physical functioning. Both hearing loss and hearing aid use vary across population subgroups. We examined whether hearing loss, and reported current hearing aid use among persons with hearing loss, were associated with different markers of socioeconomic status (SES) in a nationally representative sample of community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults.MethodsHearing was measured using an audiometric screening device in the Health Survey for England 2014 (3292 participants aged 45 years and over). Hearing loss was defined as >35 dB HL at 3.0 kHz in the better-hearing ear. Using sex-specific logistic regression modelling, we evaluated the associations between SES and hearing after adjustment for potential confounders.Results26% of men and 20% of women aged 45 years and over had hearing loss. Hearing loss was higher among men in the lowest SES groups. For example, the multivariable-adjusted odds of hearing loss were almost two times as high for those in the lowest versus the highest income tertile (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.74). Among those with hearing loss, 30% of men and 27% of women were currently using a hearing aid. Compared with men in the highest income tertile, the multivariable-adjusted odds of using a hearing aid nowadays were lower for men in the middle (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.99) and the lowest (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.97) income tertiles. Associations between SES and hearing were weaker or null among women.ConclusionsWhile the burden of hearing loss fell highest among men in the lowest SES groups, current hearing aid use was demonstrably lower. Initiatives to detect hearing loss early and increase the uptake and the use of hearing aids may provide substantial public health benefits and reduce socioeconomic inequalities in health.


Author(s):  
M. Vijay Kumar ◽  
Indranil Acharya ◽  
Jayanti P. Acharya ◽  
Puligila Raj Shravani ◽  
Sabbineni Ramya

Background: Breastfeeding is the normal way of providing young infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted among 800 mothers from urban and rural areas of Rangareddy District. A pre designed pre tested questionnaire was used to interview the mothers. Questionnaire contained questions related to demographic factors and breast feeding practices. Institutional Ethical clearance was taken. Results: The overall prevalence of exclusive breast feeding was 65%, being comparatively more in rural area (68%) which was statistically significant. Colostrum was discarded by 15% mothers in urban and 9% in rural area. Breast feeding was initiated within 1 hour in 184 (46%) in urban area and in 148 (37%) in rural area. Conclusions: Though mothers from rural area had certain favorable breast feeding practices such as demand feeding, colostrum being given but still various inappropriate practices were prevalent in both rural and urban areas. 


2012 ◽  
Vol 19 (Number 2) ◽  
pp. 7-11
Author(s):  
Md. M Rahman ◽  
Md. Daulatuzzaman ◽  
N Khan

A cross sectional study was done in the department of otolaryngology of Central Police Hospital. Rajarbagh, Dhaka., during the period of January 2005 to December 2007 to find out noise induced hearing loss of traffic polices and to raise awareness for early diagnosis and treatment and also preventive measures of noise induced hearing loss. 'Thirty patients who were diagnosed as a case of hearing impairment by detailed history, clinical examination and related investigations were included in the study who were exposed to noise 0-20 years. Common chief complaints of the patients were impairment of hearing (100%), Minims (50%), dizziness (20%), aural discharge (6.66)%. Medical history of 11w patients were diabetes (6.66%) and hypertension (26.66 %). 40 % patients were smoker and 60 % patients were non smoker. A ssoc jar ed other disease like chronic supporative otitis media (CSOM) t vas present in 13.33 %. Pure tone audiometry revealed normal hearing 3.3 %, conductive hearing loss 10 %, sensorineural hearing loss 73.33 %, mixed hearing loss 13.33 % and normal hearing 6.66 %, mild hearing loss 50 To, moderate type of hearing loss 36.66 % and moderately severe 3.33 %, severe hearing loss were 3.33 %. Treatment of the patients were given by vitamin 13,, Lli, B6, cochlear vasodilators such as vinpocetine and hearing aids. Patients were advised to Hume to other department of police service. those traffic police persons are vulnerable of noise induced hearing loss determined by patients complain, clinical examination and investigations like PTA, were advised to be changed to other department of police service.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeong In Bae ◽  
Nam Hyun Cha

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors affecting life satisfaction in the communal life of elderly people in rural areas of South Korea. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. The study respondents were 143 elders (≥ 65-years-old) selected through convenience sampling. The Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), depression, and life satisfaction were measured. The data were collected from self-reported questionnaires from 1 August to 30 August 2019. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS Program. Results: The IADL scores were significantly different according to age (p < 0.001), education (p < 0.001), and cohabitation (p = 0.003), whereas depression was gender (p = 0.033), age (p = 0.006), education (p = 0.006), and cohabitation (p = 0.039). Life satisfaction was significantly different according to age (p = 0.001), education (p < 0.001), religion (p = 0.008), and cohabitation (p = 0.009). There was a positive correlation between IADL scores and depression (r = 0.37, p < 0.001). There was a negative correlation between life satisfaction and the IADL scores (r = -0.39, p < 0.001) and depression (r = -.66, p < 0.001). Forty-one percent of the respondent’s life satisfaction was explained by depression (p < 0.001), religion (p = 0.021), and IADL scores (p = 0.028).Conclusion: The results of this study may be useful in understanding the life satisfaction level of elderly people in communal living and developing more specific programs for mental and activity programs. Depression management strategies are also needed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 59 (234) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jagdish Chataut ◽  
Shristi Jonche ◽  
Manish Ghimire ◽  
Dipesh Tamrakar ◽  
Mukta Singh Bhandari

Introduction: Elderly population is more likely to suffer from malnutrition due to aging-associated factors that influence nutritional status like loss of appetite, swallowing difficulties, digestive problems, and chronic illness. There is insufficient information related to the nutritional status of the elderly in Nepal. Hence, this study aims to determine the prevalence of malnutrition among elderly people living in the rural area of the Kavrepalanchok district. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 320 elderly people aged ≥60 years in a rural area of Kavre district from August to October 2019. Ethical approval was taken from the Institutional Review Committee (IRC-KUSMS: 68/19). Convenient sampling was done. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Program for Social Sciences version 23. Results: The prevalence of malnutrition and risk of malnutrition was 37 (11.6%) and 159 (49.7%), respectively. Of 320 elderly persons, 193 (60.3%) males and 127 (39.7%) females, with a mean age of 68.23±7.38 years, participated in this study. The mean BMI was 22.54±3.25 kg/m2 (Mean±SD). The prevalence of malnutrition was higher among females 19 (15%) compared to males 18 (9.3%). Conclusions: The prevalence of malnutrition and risk of malnutrition is high in the study population. Interventions to improve the nutritional status of the elderly should focus primarily on older people, females, and those who have co-morbidities.


2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (04) ◽  
pp. 324-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Meibos ◽  
Karen Muñoz ◽  
Karl White ◽  
Elizabeth Preston ◽  
Cache Pitt ◽  
...  

Background: Early identification of hearing loss has led to routine fitting of hearing aids in infants and young children. Amplification provides opportunities to optimize child development, although it also introduces challenges for parents to navigate. Audiologists have a central role in providing parents with support to achieve effective management strategies and habits. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore current practices of pediatric audiologists who work with children birth to 5 yr of age, regarding their support of parent learning in achieving effective hearing aid management, identify existing gaps in service delivery, and to determine if audiologists were receptive to receiving training related to effective approaches to provide counseling and support to parents. Research Design: A cross-sectional, population-based survey was used. Study Sample: Three hundred and forty-nine surveys were analyzed from pediatric audiologists who provided services to children birth to 5 yr of age. Responses were received from 22 states in the United States. Data Collection and Analysis: Responses were collected through the mail and online. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the information. Results: More than half (61%) of the audiologists in the study had been providing pediatric hearing aid services to children birth to 5 yr of age for >10 yr. Of the audiologists who reported monitoring hours of hearing aid use, the majority reported that they used data logging (90%). More than half of the audiologists (57%) who shared data logging with parents reported that they encountered defensiveness from parents when addressing hearing aid use. Information and skills that were not routinely provided by one-third to one-half of the audiologists included the following: how to get access to loaner hearing aids (30%), available hearing aid options/accessories (33%), available financial assistance (36%), how to teach hearing aid management to other caregivers (38%), how to do hearing aid maintenance (44%), and how to do a Ling 6 sound check (52%). Many audiologists reported they did not frequently collaborate with speech-language pathologists (48%), early interventionists (47%), or physicians (68%). More than half of the audiologists indicated a desire for more training in counseling skills, for all 14 items queried, to support parents with hearing aid management (53–79%), regardless of their previous training experience. Conclusions: For young children with hearing loss to achieve optimal benefit from auditory experiences for speech and language development, they need evidence-based, comprehensive, and coordinated hearing aid management. Audiologists have an important role for teaching information and skills related to hearing aids, supporting parent learning, and collaborating with other providers. Pediatric audiologists in this study recognized and desired the need for further training in counseling skills that can better prepare them to meet the emotional needs of parents in the hearing aid management process.


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