Frequency of asymmetrical hearing loss among older population

Abstract

Background: Asymmetrical hearing loss is hearing loss that is not similar in both ears. One ear has more hearing loss than other, which can be seen in older population aged 50 to 75 years.

Objective: To determine the frequency of asymmetrical hearing loss among the older population.

Methodology: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted to find out the frequency of asymmetrical hearing loss in the older population on a sample of 131 patients, both male and female, using a non-probability convenient sampling technique. This study was conducted in three hospitals (University of Lahore Teaching Hospital, Fatima Memorial Hospital Lahore, and Services Hospital Lahore). The duration of this study was 6 months, from October 2022 to March 2023. Patients with age of 50 to 75 years old population were included. Patients with conductive hearing loss, ear infections, and other co-morbid factors like smoking, cardiac disease, and hepatic disease were excluded. A structured questionnaire and PTA, tympanometry, and otoscopy were used to accumulate the data. The data was analyzed through the SPSS version 24.0 package.

Results: Out of 131 patients, there were 76 (58.0%) male patients and 55 (42.0%) female patients. Most patients (59, or 45.0%) were in the age group of 61–70 years. There were mostly 88 (67.2%) lower-class patients. In the right ear, the majority of the patients 73 (55.7%) had sensorineural hearing loss, with most patients having moderate to moderately severe degree 50 (38.2%). In the left ear, most patients 88 (67.2%) had sensorineural hearing loss, with the majority having moderately severe to severe degree 59 (45.0%).

Conclusion: The result of this study concluded that the majority of the patients have moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss in older male population.

Key words: Older adults, Hearing loss, Hearing test