title: Analysis of Predisposing Factors for Hearing Loss in Adults.
abstract: We aimed to estimate the effects of various risk factors on hearing level in Korean adults, using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We examined data from 13,369 participants collected between 2009 and 2011. Average hearing thresholds at low (0.5, 1, and 2 kHz) and high frequencies (3, 4, and 6 kHz), were investigated in accordance with various known risk factors via multiple regression analysis featuring complex sampling. We additionally evaluated data from 4,810 participants who completed a questionnaire concerned with different types of noise exposure. Low body mass index, absence of hyperlipidemia, history of diabetes mellitus, low incomes, low educational status, and smoking were associated with elevated low frequency hearing thresholds. In addition, male sex, low body mass index, absence of hyperlipidemia, low income, low educational status, smoking, and heavy alcohol consumption were associated with elevated high frequency hearing thresholds. Participants with a history of earphone use in noisy circumstances demonstrated hearing thresholds which were 1.024 dB (95% CI: 0.176 to 1.871; P = 0.018) higher, at low-frequencies, compared to participants without a history of earphone use. Our study suggests that low BMI, absence of hyperlipidemia, low household income, and low educational status are related with hearing loss in Korean adults. Male sex, smoking, and heavy alcohol use are related with high frequency hearing loss. A history of earphone use in noisy circumstances is also related with hearing loss.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Anyang, Korea.
authors.forename: Joong Seob
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Anyang, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyo Geun
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kyungpook National University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong Hun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.affiliation: Department of Statistics, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Songyong
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sim
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Anyang, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung Kwang
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Anyang, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyo-Jeong
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Anyang, Korea.
authors.forename: Bumjung
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Anyang, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyung-Jong
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015984:Causality; D015897:Comorbidity; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D004522:Educational Status; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006320:Hearing Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D009622:Noise; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Epidemiology; Hearing Loss; Noise; Sensorineural