title: Audiogram configurations among older adults: prevalence and relation to self-reported hearing problems.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There are only a few population-based epidemiological studies on audiogram configurations among adults. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of different audiogram configurations among older adults. In addition, audiogram configurations among subjects reporting hearing problems were examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional, population-based, unscreened epidemiological study among older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subjects (n = 850), aged 54-66 years, were randomly sampled from the population register. A questionnaire survey, an otological examination, and pure-tone audiometry were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most prevalent audiogram configuration among men was high-frequency steeply sloping (65.3% left ear, 51.2% right ear) and among women, high-frequency gently sloping (33.0% left ear, 31.5% right ear). There were significantly more flat configurations among women than among men. Unclassified audiograms were common especially among women (17.5%). Subjects reporting hearing difficulties, difficulties in following conversation in noise, or tinnitus, more often had a high-frequency steeply sloping configuration than those not reporting.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High-frequency sloping audiogram configurations were common among older adults, and a high-frequency steeply sloping configuration was common among those reporting hearing problems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, Otorhinolaryngology, University of Oulu, Finland.
authors.forename: Samuli
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hannula
authors.forename: Risto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bloigu
authors.forename: Kari
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Majamaa
authors.forename: Martti
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sorri
authors.forename: Elina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mäki-Torkko
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D001306:Auditory Pathways / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001309:Auditory Threshold; D001844:Bone Conduction; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012042:Registries; D057566:Self Report; D012737:Sex Factors