A Comparison of Self-Report and Audiometric Measures of Hearing and Their Associations With Functional Outcomes in Older Adults

Abstract

Objective To investigate whether associations of hearing impairment (HI) with functional outcomes in older adults differ when using self-report versus pure-tone-audiometry. Methods We examined 1669 participants ≥70 years in National Health and Examination Survey from 2005–2006 and 2009–2010 whose hearing was assessed by self-report and pure-tone-audiometry. We explored functional outcomes associated with audiometric HI (low physical activity, poor physical functioning, and hospitalization). Results In adjusted models, we found significant associations of audiometric HI with both subjective and objective outcomes, (e.g., dichotomous HI with self-reported difficulty in activities of daily living (ADLs), OR=1.47[95%CI:1.05–2.06] and low accelerometer-measured physical activity, OR=2.19[95%CI:1.11–4.34]). In contrast, self-reported HI was only associated with subjective outcomes and not with objective outcomes (e.g., dichotomous HI with difficulty in ADLs, OR=1.63 [95%CI:1.12–2.38] and low accelerometer-measured physical activity OR=0.95 [95%CI:0.66–1.35]). Discussion Results using self-reported hearing should not be considered representative of results using audiometry and may provide distinct aspects of HI in older adults.

Hearing Loss: Why Does It Matter for Nursing Homes?

“…The resident hears all normal conversational speech and telephone conversation and announcements in group activities.” Further details on the assessment protocol and interpretation of categories can be found in Table 2. Age groupings parallel to those presented by Choi et al 15 …”

“…Table 1 shows prevalence estimates for adults aged 70 and older, drawn from analyses of the National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES) conducted by Choi and colleagues. 15 Hearing loss was assessed objectively (by audiometry) and subjectively (via self-report); assessment details are shown in the table notes. Objectively, only one-third (32%) of people aged 70 and older are without some degree of clinically significant loss on audiometry.…”

“… * Source: Analysis of NHANES data reported in Choi et al 15 Based on speech-frequency pure tone audiometry. Hearing loss classified according to criteria defined by the World Health Organization, with degree of loss determined with respect to average thresholds in the better hearing ear.…”

“…Hearing loss classified according to criteria defined by the World Health Organization, with degree of loss determined with respect to average thresholds in the better hearing ear. Age groupings reflect those presented by the authors. † Source: Analysis of NHANES data reported in Choi et al 15 Based on self-report in response to “Which statement best describes your hearing (without a hearing aid)? Would you say that your hearing is excellent, good, that you have a little trouble, moderate trouble, a lot of trouble, or are you deaf?”…”

“… † Source: Analysis of NHANES data reported in Choi et al 15 Based on self-report in response to “Which statement best describes your hearing (without a hearing aid)? Would you say that your hearing is excellent, good, that you have a little trouble, moderate trouble, a lot of trouble, or are you deaf?”…”