Evaluation of elderly patients with hearing impairment.

Abstract

Hearing is decreased in later age is due to aging and is normally seen in most of the elderly people all over the world. Objectives: To ascertain the degree of hearing in elders in relation to age, pattern and extent of hearing weakness in old age so that interventional strategies can be planned to improve their wellbeing. Study Design: Cross Sectional Study. Setting: ENT Outdoor Clinic of Akbar Niazi Teaching Hospital of Islamabad Medical and Dental College, Bhara Kahu, Islamabad. Period: December 2017 to October 2018. Material & Methods: 200 patients were part of the study with age > 50 years and no past history of drug therapy. Data was gathered by detailed clinical history, clinical examination and audiometric findings. Result: 57% patients were found with normal hearing and 43% had variable degree of hearing deterioration. Highest number of hearing weakness was found in 9th decade. Most of hearing deterioration was found in both the ears and that of sensorineural in type. Conclusion: Sensorineural type of hearing impairment is very frequently occurring problem seen in the latter part of life in our community. The frequency and severity of decreased hearing is directly proportional to age.