Prevalence of hearing loss and associated factors in subjects with normal otoscopy: a national cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective: To report the prevalence of hearing loss (HL) and associated factors in a nationwide study. Design: Cross-sectional study. Study sample: We investigated the prevalence of HL in 10,845 participants ≥12 years of age and analysed the associated factors with HL from 7434 participants ≥40 years of age. Results: The prevalence of worse ear HL was 21.9% (1.2% in youngest and 81.9% in oldest) and that of better ear was 12.5% (none in youngest and 65.3% in oldest). Based on the worse ear HL, the prevalence of HL was more common in men, and related with low education and income. In univariable analysis, hypertension, smoking, diabetes, depressive mood, stroke or cardiac disease, anaemia, hypercholesterolaemia and underweight showed positive associations with HL, and alcohol consumption and regular walking showed negative associations with HL. There were five associated factors in multivariable analysis, including smoking (OR =1.36 for smokers with <20 pack years; OR =1.55 for smokers with ≥20 pack years), noise exposure at workplace (OR = 1.28), stroke (OR = 1.72), anaemia (OR = 1.36) and depressive mood (OR = 1.29). Conclusion: Prevention of smoking and reduction of noise, as well as awareness of the association with stroke, anaemia and depression would help to reduce the burden of HL.

Key Words:

• Hearing loss
• epidemiology
• associated factor
• smoking
• depression
• noise

Acknowledgements

We extend our appreciation to the Korean Society of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and the members of the Division of Chronic Disease Surveillance in Korea Centres for Disease Control & Prevention for their participation in this survey and for the dedicated work they provided.

Declaration of interest: The authors have no conflicts of interests to declare.