Hearing loss--an underestimated public health problem.
Estimates of hearing loss in Australia, collected over the last decade and a half, have reported a prevalence rate ranging from 0.1 to 7 per cent. This survey of a random sample of South Australians provides, depending upon definition, two estimates of 15 and 19 per cent. These data suggest that hearing loss has been underestimated as a public health problem. The need for an epidemiological study which measures actual hearing impairment, which can be used to develop an appropriate public health response, is discussed.
Wilson
D
D
Behavioural Epidemiology Unit, Public and Environmental Health Service, Adelaide.
Xibin
S
S
Read
P
P
Walsh
P
P
Esterman
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006292:Health Priorities; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011634:Public Health; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013021:South Australia / Q000453:epidemiology