Sains Malaysiana 45(9)(2016): 1405–1411

Hearing Loss and Risk Factors among Community Dwelling Older Adults in Selangor

(Hilang Pendengaran dan Faktor Risiko dalam Kalangan Warga Tua dalam Komuniti di Selangor)

 

SITI ZAMRATOL-MAI SARAH MUKARI1*, NASHRAH MAAMOR2, WAN SYAFIRA ISHAK2 & WAN FAZLINA WAN HASHIM3

 

1Institute of Ear, Hearing and Speech (I-HEARS), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory, Malaysia

 

2Audiology Program, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory, Malaysia

 

3Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory, Malaysia

 

Received: 15 January 2016/Accepted: 22 April 2016

 

ABSTRACT

There is a lack of population-based data on prevalence of hearing loss in Malaysia. The purpose of this population-based study was to determine the prevalence of hearing loss and its risk factors among 382 older adults aged 60 years and above, recruited through multistage random sampling in Selangor. Hearing level was measured using pure tone audiometry. Hearing loss was classified into at least mild hearing loss and significant hearing loss based on the pure tone average (PTA) of 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz. The examination also included face-to-face interview on hearing related medical history, noise exposure and hearing aid use. Overall, the prevalence of at least mild hearing loss and significant hearing loss were 73.6% (95% CI: 69.4 - 77.4) and 24.6% (95% CI: 20.8 - 28.7), respectively. The odds for at least ‘mild hearing loss’ were male gender, Chinese ethnicity, residing in urban areas, had no formal education or primary school education and history of hypertension. The risk for ‘significant hearing loss’ was significantly higher in males, those who lived in urban areas and elderly with cognitive impairment. Chinese and Indian ethnicities had significantly lower risks than Malay ethnic to have significant hearing loss. Despite the high prevalence of hearing loss, only 4.4% who might benefit from hearing aids wore them. In conclusion, findings from this study show high prevalence of hearing loss among the elderly population. Given the significant association between hearing loss and cognitive impairment, future studies should explore the role of hearing amplification in alleviating or slowing the progress of cognitive decline.

 

Keywords: Community dwelling elderly; hearing loss; prevalence; risk factors

 

ABSTRAK

Data prevalen hilang pendengaran di Malaysia adalah terhad. Kajian berasaskan populasi ini bertujuan menentukan prevalen hilang pendengaran dan faktor risikonya dalam kalangan 382 orang penduduk Selangor yang berumur 60 tahun dan ke atas yang dipilih melalui persampelan rawak pelbagai tahap. Tahap pendengaran diukur menggunakan audiometri nada tulen. Hilang pendengaran dibahagikan kepada dua tahap, iaitu hilang pendengaran ringan dan hilang pendengaran ketara berdasarkan purata nada tulen (PTA) pada frekuensi 0.5, 1, 2 dan 4 kHz. Temu bual bersemuka juga dilakukan untuk mendapatkan maklumat mengenai sejarah perubatan yang berkaitan dengan pendengaran, pendedahan kepada hingar, serta pemakaian alat bantu pendengaran. Prevalen hilang pendengaran ringan atau lebih adalah 73.6% (95% CI: 69.4 - 77.4), manakala hilang pendengaran ketara pula ialah 24.6% (95% CI: 20.8 - 28.7). Faktor risiko yang berkaitan dengan hilang pendengaran ringan atau lebih ialah lelaki, berbangsa Cina, tinggal di kawasan bandar dan tidak mendapat pendidikan formal atau pendidikan sekolah rendah dan mengidap hipertensi. Risiko untuk hilang pendengaran ketara pula ialah lelaki, tinggal di bandar dan kemerosotan kognitif. Bangsa Cina dan India didapati mempunyai risiko yang lebih rendah daripada bangsa Melayu bagi hilang pendengaran ketara. Walaupun prevalen hilang pendengaran adalah tinggi, hanya 4.4% daripada mereka yang boleh mendapat manfaat daripada alat bantu pendengaran memakainya. Kesimpulannya, kajian ini menunjukkan prevalen hilang pendengaran dalam kalangan warga tua adalah tinggi. Memandangkan hubungan yang signifikan antara hilang pendengaran dan kecelaan kognitif, kajian akan datang perlu meneroka peranan amplifikasi pendengaran dalam mengurang atau melambatkan kadar penurunan fungsi kognitif.

 

Kata kunci: Faktor risiko; hilang pendengaran; prevalen; warga tua dalam komuniti

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*Corresponding author; email: zamratol@ukm.edu.my

 

 

 

 

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