[Influence of exogenic factors on age-related hearing impairment].
BACKGROUND
Age-related hearing impairment is a complex disorder, the causes for which have been insufficiently studied. Genetic and environmental factors all play a role.


METHODS
A total of 406 persons aged between 53 and 67 years old were interviewed about various causes and audiometric data were collected. The audiometric pure tone data were adjusted for sex and age and tested for association with exposure to risk factors.


RESULTS
Significant negative effects of noise exposure, painkillers, overweight, and cardiovascular diseases on hearing loss were found. A positive effect of moderate alcohol consumption could also be shown in the elderly. These results suggest that a healthy lifestyle can positively affect age-related hearing impairment.
Baur
M
M
HNO-Universitätsklinikum Tübingen.
Fransen
E
E
Tropitzsch
A
A
van Laer
L
L
Mauz
P S
PS
Van Camp
G
G
Blin
N
N
Pfister
M
M
D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001299:Audiometry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009622:Noise; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires