scholarly journals Hearing threshold levels and hearing loss among people in Zhejiang, China: a population-based cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. e027152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dahui Wang ◽  
Huai Zhang ◽  
Haiyan Ma ◽  
Long Zhang ◽  
Lei Yang ◽  
...  

Hearing loss (≥26 dB threshold in the better ear), as a common chronic condition in humans, is increasingly gaining attention. Relevant research in China is relatively scarce, so we conduct a population-based study to investigate the prevalence of hearing loss among age groups, genders and ears in Zhejiang province, China, from September 2016 to June 2018.Study designPopulation-based cross-sectional studyParticipantsA total of 3754 participants aged 18–98 years and living in Zhejiang province, China.Outcome measuresPure-tone audiometric thresholds were measured at frequencies of 0.125–8 kHz for each subject. All participants were asked to complete a structured questionnaire, in the presence of a healthcare official.ResultsThe prevalence of speech-frequency and high-frequency hearing loss was 27.9% and 42.9%, respectively, in Zhejiang. There were significant differences in auditory thresholds at most frequencies among the age groups, genders (male vs female: 31.6%vs24.1% at speech frequency; 48.9% vs 36.8% at high frequency) and ears. In addition to the common factors affecting both types of hearing loss, a significant correlation was found between personal income and speech-frequency hearing loss (OR=0.69, 95% CI 0.52 to 0.92), and between hyperlipidaemia and high-frequency hearing loss (OR=1.45, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.07).ConclusionThe prevalence of hearing loss was high among people living in Zhejiang, particularly males, and in the left ear. Moreover, hearing thresholds increased with age. Several lifestyle and environment factors, which can be influenced by awareness and education, were significantly associated with hearing loss.

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 1556-1566 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Wang ◽  
Valerie Sung ◽  
Peter Carew ◽  
Richard S Liu ◽  
David Burgner ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Lifelong inflammation – known to be associated with many non-communicable diseases – has not been thoroughly investigated in hearing. We aimed to determine if glycoprotein A (GlycA), a novel biomarker of chronic inflammation, is associated with hearing acuity in mid-childhood and mid-life. Methods Population-based cross-sectional study within the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children with plasma GlycA and audiometry data (1169 children and 1316 parents). We calculated high Fletcher Index (mean threshold across 1, 2 and 4 kHz), defining hearing loss as threshold >15 decibel hearing level (dB HL) (better ear). Linear/logistic regression quantified associations of GlycA with hearing threshold/loss. Results Mean [standard deviation (SD)] high Fletcher Indices (dB HL) were 8.0 (5.7) for children and 13.1 (6.9) for adults, with 8.7% and 26.1% respectively showing hearing loss. 1-SD rise in GlycA (children 0.13 mmol/L, adults 0.17 mmol/L) predicted higher hearing thresholds for the lower individual frequencies [1 kHz: children β 0.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.3–1.3; adults β 0.8, 95% CI 0.2–1.4]. This same pattern was evident for the high Fletcher Index (children β 0.7, 95% CI 0.3–1.1; adults β 0.8, 95% CI 0.3–1.4). This translated into 1-SD rise in GlycA predicting adult hearing loss [odds ratio (OR) 1.2, 95% CI 1.0–1.5] with similar but attenuated patterns in children. Conclusions GlycA is associated with poorer hearing by mid-childhood. This potentially reframes hearing loss as a life-course condition with inflammatory antecedents common to other non-communicable diseases. Replication and mechanistic studies could inform causal inference and early prevention efforts.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Kwame R. Gyamfi ◽  
Isaac Amankwaa ◽  
Frank Owusu Sekyere ◽  
Daniel Boateng

Introduction.Although quarry operations have high economic significance, the effects they cause to the workers in terms of excessive noise production cannot be overlooked. This cross-sectional study assessed the extent of noise exposure and its influence on hearing capabilities among quarry workers in Ashanti region.Methods. The study involved 400 workers randomly selected from five quarries in Ashanti region from April to June 2012. Data was collected using structured questionnaires, physical examination, and audiological assessments. A logistic regression model was fitted to assess independent predictors of hearing loss.Results. All the machines used at the various quarries produced noise that exceeded the minimum threshold with levels ranging from 85.5 dBA to 102.7 dBA. 176 (44%) of study respondents had hearing threshold higher than 25 dBA. 18% and 2% of these were moderately (41–55 dBA) and severely (71–90 dBA) impaired, respectively. Age, duration of work, and use of earplugs independently predicted the development of hearing loss. Use of earplugs showed a protective effect on the development of hearing loss (OR = 0.45; 95% CI = 0.25, 0.84).Conclusion.This study provides empirical evidence on the extent of damage caused to quarry workers as a result of excessive noise exposure. This will support the institution of appropriate protective measures to minimize this threat.


2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abayneh Girma Demisse ◽  
Ermias Shenkutie Greffie ◽  
Solomon Mekonnen Abebe ◽  
Abera Balcha Bulti ◽  
Shitaye Alemu ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuija M. Mikkola ◽  
Hannele Polku ◽  
Päivi Sainio ◽  
Päivikki Koponen ◽  
Seppo Koskinen ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaya Singh Kshatri ◽  
◽  
Debdutta Bhattacharya ◽  
Srikanta Kanungo ◽  
Sidhartha Giri ◽  
...  

AbstractThis was a population based cross-sectional study carried out to estimate and compare the seroprevalence, hidden prevalence and determine the demographic risk factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection among adults in the three largest cities of Odisha, India, and ascertain the association with the progression of the epidemic. The survey carried out in August 2020 in the three largest cities of the state of Odisha, India. Blood samples were collected from the residents using random sampling methods and tested for anti- SARS CoV-2 antibodies using an automated CLIA platform. A total of 4146 participants from the 3 cities of Bhubaneswar (BBS), Berhampur (BAM) and Rourkela (RKL) participated. The female to male participation ratio was 5.9:10 across the three cities. The gender weighted seroprevalence across the three cities was 20.78% (95% CI 19.56–22.05%). While females reported a higher seroprevalence (22.8%) as compared to males (18.8%), there was no significant difference in seroprevalence across age groups. A majority of the seropositive participants were asymptomatic (90.49%). The case to infection ratio on the date of serosurvey was 1:6.6 in BBS, 1:61 in BAM and 1:29.8 in RKL. The study found a high seroprevalence against COVID-19 in urban Odisha as well as high numbers of asymptomatic infections. The epidemic curves had a correlation with the seroprevalence.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (May) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Dahui Wang<sup>*</sup> ◽  
Yajun Zhu<sup>*</sup> ◽  
Chenhui Li ◽  
Yi Wang ◽  
Shichang Wang ◽  
...  

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