Evaluating a dichotomized measure of self-reported hearing loss against gold standard audiometry: prevalence estimates and age bias in a pooled national data set.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a harmonized binary measure of self-reported hearing loss against gold standard audiometry in an older adult population.


METHODS
Seven nationally representative population-based studies were harmonized and pooled (n = 23,001). Self-report items were recoded into a dichotomous format. Audiometric hearing loss was defined by averaged pure-tone thresholds greater than 25-decibel hearing level in the better ear. We compared age and sex stratified prevalence rates of hearing loss estimated by self-report and audiometric measures.


RESULTS
Overall, 56% of men and 43% of women had audiometric hearing loss. There were moderate associations between self-reported and audiometric hearing loss. However, prevalence based on self-report was overestimated for adults aged below 70 years and underestimated for adults aged above 75.


CONCLUSIONS
Self-report of hearing loss is insensitive to age effects and does not provide a reliable basis for estimating prevalence of age-related hearing loss, although may indicate perceived hearing disability.
Australian National University, Canberra, Australia. kim.kiely@anu.edu.au
Kim M
KM
Kiely
Bamini
B
Gopinath
Paul
P
Mitchell
Colette J
CJ
Browning
Kaarin J
KJ
Anstey
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D001309:Auditory Threshold; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D057566:Self Report