J A Duijvestijn

Publications (2)2.17 Total impact

• Article: Help-seeking behaviour of hearing-impaired persons aged > or = 55 years; effect of complaints, significant others and hearing aid image.

  J A Duijvestijn, L J C Anteunis, C J Hoek, R H S Van Den Brink, M N Chenault, J J Manni
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  ABSTRACT: To determine factors influencing help-seeking behaviour in hearing-impaired persons aged > or = 55 years The study comprised 1,419 persons (480 females, 939 males) aged > or = 55 years who participated voluntarily in a driving test. Pure-tone audiometry was performed in all subjects. Participants without a hearing aid with an average hearing loss of > or = 30 dB in the better ear for the frequencies 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz were asked how they perceived their hearing by means of a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire provided insight into why some hearing-impaired people seek help from a general practitioner (GP) and others do not. Four factors were examined. A total of 483/1.419 (34%) participants tested had a hearing loss exceeding 30 dB. Fewer than half of these had visited their GP with complaints of hearing impairment. Of those who had not sought help from a GP, 57% nevertheless judged their hearing as poor. Social pressure exerted by significant others was less in the non-consulters group. Hearing aid image did not differ significantly between the two groups. The help-seeking behaviour of hearing-impaired elderly people is related to the degree of hearing disability and the social pressure exerted by significant others as well as the willingness to try hearing aids.
  Acta Oto-Laryngologica 09/2003; 123(7):846-50. · 1.08 Impact Factor
• Article: Definition of hearing impairment and its effect on prevalence figures. A survey among senior citizens.

  J A Duijvestijn, L J Anteunis, J J Hendriks, J J Manni
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  ABSTRACT: In order to explain the variation found in the literature, this article describes how the definition of hearing impairment affects reported prevalence when applied to the same population. The study comprised 1041 persons (354 women, 687 men) aged 55 years or older (mean age 67 years, SD 7 years). Pure tone audiometry was performed on all subjects. They were asked about their hearing by means of a structured questionnaire. The prevalences of hearing impairment were calculated based on nine criteria including: participants' subjective impression, five Dutch and international audiometric definitions, consultation of a General Practitioner, referral to an ENT specialist and hearing aid possession. Results showed a variation in prevalence figures from 6 to 30% and 10 to 49%, for women and men, respectively. Definitions including 4 kHz emphasized sex differences more strongly. In conclusion, gross differences in prevalence figures on hearing impairment are found as a result of the definition used. The variation in prevalence figures found in the literature can, at least partly, be explained by the use of different definitions.
  Acta Oto-Laryngologica 02/1999; 119(4):420-3. · 1.08 Impact Factor