The Valby Project: a survey of hearing in the elderly > or = 80 years of age not provided with hearing aids.
This contribution forms part of an epidemiological study of hearing in the elderly > or = 80 years of age, living in an urban area. The study concentrates on the prevalence of self-reported hearing problems in a sample of subjects not provided with hearing aids (HAs), hearing level, and knowledge of and attitudes to HAs. Among the total population of 2915 > or = 80 years of age, an age- and sex-matched sample of 565 subjects was invited to attend an extensive audiological evaluation, including a questionnaire, giving information on knowledge about and attitudes to HAs. Forty-one percent (n = 231) attended, and dividing the attenders into 5 or 10 year age bands showed that the better and worse ear hearing levels, averaged across 0.5-4 kHz (BEHL/ WEHL0.5-4 kHz), deteriorate significantly with increasing age, and that no differences as a function of gender could be found. The prevalence of self-reported hearing problems was 44% (n = 101), and among these 30% (n = 30) indicated the potential need for a HA. A significantly poorer BEHL0.5-4 kHz was found in these subjects compared to those without hearing problems and/or need of a HA. In the total sample, 63% reported that a HA can ameliorate a hearing problem; however, 62% indicated that the HA should be invisible, and 28% that a HA 'makes you old'.
Biering-Sørensen
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Department of Audiology, Bispebjeg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. bbhaudap@login.dknet.dk
Christensen
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B
Sørensen
M S
MS
Parving
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A
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D012048:Correction of Hearing Impairment; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006310:Hearing Aids; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male