Hearing loss in the elderly. A survey in general practice.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of undiagnosed hearing impairment in people aged 60 years or over in a general practice setting.


METHODS
A self-administered questionnaire followed by physical examination and audiometry.


METHODS
A group general practice in the Melbourne suburb of Moorabbin.


METHODS
Two hundred and one people aged 60 years or over who were not known to be hearing impaired.


METHODS
Results of air-conduction audiometry.


RESULTS
Seventy-five of the 201 people had undiagnosed hearing loss (37%). The assessments of hearing ability by the patients and their relations were good predictors of the outcome of the audiogram (P < 0.001). Occupational history, medical history and physical examination were poor predictors (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The use of audiometry for screening for hearing impairment in older general practice patients is likely to have a high yield. A large proportion of people with abnormal audiograms will, however, refuse a hearing aid.
Trumble
S C
SC
Department of Community Medicine, Monash University, East Bentleigh, Vic.
Piterman
L
L
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001299:Audiometry; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006320:Hearing Tests; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010808:Physical Examination; D015995:Prevalence; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires