Content uploaded by Christopher Morrell
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Christopher Morrell on Mar 10, 2014
Content may be subject to copyright.
Risk factors related to age-associated hearing loss in speech frequencies
Abstract
This paper examines the relationship between several risk factors and the development of age-associated hearing loss in the speech frequencies. Hearing loss is defined as an average threshold level of 30 dB HL or greater at the frequencies of 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 kHz. Hearing thresholds from 0.5 to 8 kHz using a pulse-tone tracking procedure were collected on participants of the Baltimore Longitudinal study of Aging since 1965. A proportional hazards regression model was used to study the relationship between several risk factors that have previously been found to be associated with numerous health-related outcomes and the length of follow-up time until the occurrence of unilateral or bilateral hearing loss in a screened group of 531 men. Risk factors considered are age, blood pressure, and alcohol and cigarette consumption. After controlling for age, only systolic blood pressure showed a significant relationship with hearing loss in the speech frequencies (p < .05). Since blood pressure is a modifiable risk factor, these results suggest that preventing hypertension might contribute to an effective program for the prevention of apparent age-associated hearing loss.
... Some other studies had demonstrated that smoking can accelerate presbyacusis 11,12 . While no association between smoking and hearing loss found in Baltimore study of aging 13 . It is hypothesized that the deleterious impact of smoking on hearing may be through direct or indirect ways. ...
Background and objectives: Some clinical studies have suggested that cigarette smoking may be associated with hearing loss. The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between smoking and hearing loss and to characterize the type of hearing loss found in smokers. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted on 100 cases aged between 20-50 years, 70 cases were smokers and 30 were non-smokers. All the participants were examined by an Otoscope, a Tuning Fork, Tympanometry and Pure Tune air conduction and bone conduction Audiogram. Audiogram results were analyzed and hearing loss was defined as hearing threshold greater than 25 dB HL at one or more of frequencies (0.25,0.5, 1, 2,4 and 8 kHz). The type, severity and involved frequencies of hearing loss were analyzed based on the pure tone average. Results: The number of cases with hearing loss was 26 cases, 22 of them were smokers and 4 were non-smokers. Smoking significantly increased the risk of hearing loss (p value = 0.04). Smokers were 2.3 times more likely to have hearing impairment as non-smoker. High frequency sensorineural hearing loss was the predominant type among smokers and the severity ranged from mild to severe, mild loss was the most common. The severity of hearing loss was affected significantly by the intensity and the duration of smoking. Conclusions: Cigarette smoking affects the hearing ability after exclusions of most possible factors including noise exposure. It increases the risk of hearing impairment with increasing age in a dose related manner.
... Similarly, in a Baltimore study, there is no association between smoking and hearing loss, however, in this study, we have only considered elderly patients and checked the risk factors associated with SNHL in the elderly but not taken smoking as a risk factor solely. [19] There are several other studies which showed a definitive correlation between SNHL and tobacco addiction. In population-based study done by Cruickshanks et al., it was shown that smokers are at 1.7 times more risk of developing SNHL than the nonsmokers. ...
... It is important to balance the representation of women and men (including SGM when possible) in research to increase the generalizability of study findings, to ensure that all persons benefit fully from research findings, and to minimize the potential to create and exacerbate health care inequities and hearing health disparities between sexes. The percentage of women participants in the epidemiologic studies reviewed in Tables 2 and 3 ranged from 59.2% in the Framingham Heart Study (Mościcki et al. 1985;Gates et al. 1990) to 32.0% in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA), with BLSA being one of the few studies in which men substantially outnumbered women (Brant et al. 1996). Furthermore, in many studies, the percentages of men and women varied with age, with higher percentages of women in older age decades, partly because women live longer than men. ...
There is robust evidence that sex (biological) and gender (behavioral/social) differences influence hearing loss risk and outcomes. These differences are noted for animals and humans-in the occurrence of hearing loss, hearing loss progression, and response to interventions. Nevertheless, many studies have not reported or disaggregated data by sex or gender. This article describes the influence of sex-linked biology (specifically sex-linked hormones) and gender on hearing and hearing interventions, including the role of sex-linked biology and gender in modifying the association between risk factors and hearing loss, and the effects of hearing loss on quality of life and functioning. Most prevalence studies indicate that hearing loss begins earlier and is more common and severe among men than women. Intrinsic sex-linked biological differences in the auditory system may account, in part, for the predominance of hearing loss in males. Sex- and gender-related differences in the effects of noise exposure or cardiovascular disease on the auditory system may help explain some of these differences in the prevalence of hearing loss. Further still, differences in hearing aid use and uptake, and the effects of hearing loss on health may also vary by sex and gender. Recognizing that sex-linked biology and gender are key determinants of hearing health, the present review concludes by emphasizing the importance of a well-developed research platform that proactively measures and assesses sex- and gender-related differences in hearing, including in understudied populations. Such research focus is necessary to advance the field of hearing science and benefit all members of society.
... Established acquired risk factors include several modifiable elements, such as loud noise, ototoxic medicines/chemicals, nutritional deficiencies, and viral infections. Additionally, there is evidence that lifestyle-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure [5], obesity, atherosclerosis [6], and diabetes [7][8][9], are risk factors for hearing impairment. Chronic kidney disease (CKD), defined as kidney damage or glomerular filtration rate (GFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73 ...
Several longitudinal studies have examined associations between renal dysfunction and hearing impairment. Here, we explored the longitudinal association between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and hearing impairment among the working-age population in Japan. Participants were 88,425 males and 38,722 females aged 20–59 years, without hearing impairment at baseline (2013), who attended Japanese occupational annual health check-ups from 2013 to 2020 fiscal year. eGFR was categorized into four groups (eGFR upper half of ≥90, lower half of ≥90 (reference), 60–89, and <60 mL/min/1.73 m2). Low- and high-frequency hearing impairment were assessed using data from pure-tone audiometric testing. A Cox proportional hazards model was applied to estimate hazard ratio (HR) values for hearing impairment. Low eGFR did not increase the risk of low- or high-frequency hearing impairment. For males, multivariable-adjusted HR of high-frequency hearing impairment was 1.16 (95% confidence interval, 1.01–1.34) for the upper half of the ≥90 mL/min/1.73 m2; however, this positive association between high eGFR and high-frequency hearing impairment did not appear to be robust in a number of sensitivity analyses. We conclude that, among the Japanese working-age population, eGFR was not generally associated with hearing impairment in people of either sex.
... Prevalence estimates of hearing loss from national or regional cohort studies vary by measurement method, definition of hearing loss, and the population under study. Some epidemiological studies have measured hearing via pure-tone audiometry, which is generally regarded as the gold standard objective measure (e.g., Brant et al., 1996;Goman & Lin, 2016;Mościcki et al., 1985;Nash et al., 2011;Reed et al., 2019). Within these studies, different definitions of audiometric hearing loss have been utilized. ...
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of self-reported hearing loss and associated risk factors in a representative population-based study of Wisconsin residents.
Method
Survey of the Health of Wisconsin participants with data on self-reported hearing loss were included. We reported prevalence of self-reported hearing loss with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs), overall, and stratified by age and sex. Age- and sex-adjusted and multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate determinants of self-reported hearing loss, and results are presented as odds ratios with corresponding 95% CIs.
Results
There were 2,767 participants (50.7% men) with a mean age of 46 years (range: 21–74) in this study. Prevalence of self-reported hearing loss was 26.8% (24.4, 28.4) and was higher in men (30.3% [27.1, 33.4]) than in women (22.5% [19.9, 25.0]). Prevalence increased with age. After multivariable adjustment, age (per +1 year increase; 1.05 [1.04, 1.06]), male sex (1.57 [1.18, 2.08]), having two chronic diseases (vs. 0; 1.93 [1.16, 3.23]), occupational (2.47 [1.91, 3.19]) and recreational (1.58 [1.22, 2.04]) noise exposure, and poor diet (1.88 [1.28, 2.78]) were associated with higher odds of self-reported hearing loss.
Conclusions
Hearing loss is a highly prevalent public health concern and may be at least partially modifiable via interventions to reduce noise exposure and promote health. Statewide prevalence and risk factor data can be used to inform public health practice and promote hearing loss prevention.
Supplemental Material
https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.19661130
Objective:
Growing evidence suggests that alcohol consumption is a risk factor for hearing loss; however, the evidence has been inconsistent. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of alcohol consumption on hearing loss.
Methods:
We searched several databases up to November 2021, for published articles using the keywords "alcohol drinking" and "hearing loss". Two investigators independently conducted the study selection and data extraction. Based on the results of the heterogeneity analysis (Q statistic and I2 statistic), a fixed- or random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled odds ratios (ORs). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the potential sources of heterogeneity and robustness of the pooled estimation. Publication bias in the literature was evaluated using Egger's test.
Results:
In total, 18 (9 cross-sectional, 5 case-control, and 4 cohort) observational studies were identified in this search; 27,849 participants were included. Compared with non-drinkers, the pooled OR of drinkers was 1.22 (95% confidence interval: 1.09-1.35).
Conclusion:
Evidence suggests a positive association between alcohol consumption and hearing loss. Drinkers were at a higher risk than non-drinkers. Drinking limitations may be useful for preventing hearing loss.
Hearing damage through blast is a major problem in the armed forces. Blast can cause damage to all stages of the auditory pathway: from the outer, middle and inner ear to the different parts of the brain that successively process the complex sound information. In this chapter, we give an overview of the main stages of the auditory system, their main functions and the types of impairments that can occur to them through blast. We then describe prevention, diagnostic strategies as well as treatment and rehabilitation methods. We also discuss current research into improved prevention and treatment and conclude with a brief summary.KeywordsHearing damageOuter earMiddle earInner earAuditory cortexAuditory brainstemDetectionPreventionTreatment
Blast causes severe and complex injury patterns and significant rehabilitation challenges. By 2011/12, the peak of the Afghanistan conflict, complex trauma admissions into the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre Headley Court were equivalent to the total admissions into specialist inpatient NHS rehabilitation for the whole of England. These high casualty numbers enabled the rehabilitation specialists to evolve practice and challenge expectations. The service was built upon existing principles, namely early assessment, exercise-based rehabilitation, cross-disciplinary working, active case management, and rapid access to specialist opinions and investigations. Rehabilitation commenced at the earliest possible point in the intensive care unit in the deployed setting. This then progressed through to the inpatient trauma ward to the delivery of outpatient rehabilitation even while the patients were still in hospital. Finally, the integration of medical rehabilitation and transitional support agencies is critical in the support of the casualty in the final stages of their recovery.KeywordsRehabilitationComplex injuryAmputeesDMRCInterdisciplinarityPainProstheticsOsseointegration
Aging not only affect biomarker-related processes, but it also affects the physiological processes of the human body. Of all the physiological processes, hearing and vision are of utmost importance to a human. Therefore, this study examines the prevalence and factors associated with hearing and vision difficulty and their sequential treatment among older adults in India. Utilizing data from Building a Knowledge Base on Population Aging in India, study used two sets of outcome variables; firstly, self-reported hearing and vision difficulty and secondly, treatment-seeking for hearing and vision difficulty. A total of 9541 older adults aged 60+ years from seven major regionally representative states were selected. Descriptive statistics were used to perform preliminary analysis. Additionally, the study employed the Heckprobit selection model. It is a two-equation model. This model is used in order to accommodate the heterogeneity (i.e., shared unobserved factors) among older adults and then address the endogeneity (between hearing and vision loss problems and their treatment-seeking behaviour) for older adults in India, the model offers a two-step analysis and deals with the zero-sample issue. Around 59% and 21% of older adults reported vision and hearing difficulty, respectively. Only 5% of older adults suffering from hearing difficulty reported utilizing hearing aids. Lifestyle factors (smoking tobacco and chewing tobacco) significantly affect hearing and vision difficulty; various chronic diseases were also found to be associated with high levels of hearing and vision difficulty among older adults. Results from Heckprobit model shows that older adults with 11+ years of education had higher probability to use visual [β = 0.54, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.37, 0.70] and hearing aids [β = 0.6, 95% CI: 0.18, 1.02]. The use of hearing and vision aids was lower among poor older adults, older adults from Scheduled Caste, and older adults in rural areas. The study indicates that more than half of older adults face vision difficulty and almost one-fourth face hearing difficulty in rural India, education and lifestyle appear to be the main driver of health-seeking behaviour. Additional attention shall be given to understand the strategies that may advocate a higher use for hearing aids among older adults.
Evidence suggests that hearing loss (HL), even at mild levels, increases the long-term risk of cognitive decline and incident dementia. Hearing loss is one of the modifiable risk factors for dementia, with approximately 4 million of the 50 million cases of dementia worldwide possibly attributed to untreated HL. This paper describes four possible mechanisms that have been suggested for the relationship between age-related hearing loss (ARHL) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which is the most common form of dementia. The first mechanism suggests mitochondrial dysfunction and altered signal pathways due to aging as a possible link between ARHL and AD. The second mechanism proposes that sensory degradation in hearing impaired people could explain the relationship between ARHL and AD. The occupation of cognitive resource (third) mechanism indicates that the association between ARHL and AD is a result of increased cognitive processing that is required to compensate for the degraded sensory input. The fourth mechanism is an expansion of the third mechanism, i.e., the function and structure interaction involves both cognitive resource occupation (neural activity) and AD pathology as the link between ARHL and AD. Exploring the specific mechanisms that provide the link between ARHL and AD has the potential to lead to innovative ideas for the diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of AD. This paper also provides insight into the current evidence for the use of hearing treatments as a possible treatment/prevention for AD, and if auditory assessments could provide an avenue for early detection of cognitive impairment associated with AD.
ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any references for this publication.