Multidimensional Risk Factors of Age-Related Hearing Loss Among Malaysian Community‐Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract

Purpose

This study evaluates the prevalence of and the multidimensional risk factors associated with age-related hearing loss (ARHL) among community-dwelling older adults in Malaysia.

Patients and Methods

A total of 253 participants aged 60 years and above participated in this cross-sectional study. The participants were subjected to pure tone audiometric assessment. The hearing threshold was calculated for the better ear and classified into pure-tone average (PTA) for the octave frequencies from 0.5 to 4 kHz and high-frequency pure-tone average (HFA) for the octave from 2 to 8kHz. Then, the risk factors associated with PTA hearing loss (HL) and HFAHL were identified by using multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

The prevalence of ARHL based on PTA and HFA among the community-dwelling older adults was 75.5% and 83.0%, respectively. Following multifactorial adjustments, being older (OR: 1.239; 95% CI: 1.062–1.445), having higher waist circumference (OR: 1.158; 95% CI: 1.015–1.322), lower intake of niacin (OR: 0.909; 95% CI: 0.831–0.988) and potassium (OR: 0.998; 95% CI: 0.996–1.000), and scoring lower in RAVLT T5 (OR: 0.905; 95% CI: 0.838–0.978) were identified as the risk factors of PTAHL. Meanwhile, being older (OR: 1.117; 95% CI: 1.003–1.244), higher intake of carbohydrate (OR: 1.018; 95% CI: 1.006–1.030), lower intake of potassium (OR: 0.998; 95% CI: 0.997–0.999), and lower scores on the RAVLT T5 (OR: 0.922; 95% CI: 0.874–0.973) were associated with increased risk of having HFAHL.

Conclusion

Increasing age, having higher waist circumference, lower intake of niacin and potassium, higher intake of carbohydrates and having lower RAVLT T5 score were associated with increased risk of ARHL. Modifying these risk factors may be beneficial in preventive and management strategies of ARHL among older persons.

Keywords:

• cognitive function
• dietary intake
• hearing loss
• older adults
• prevalence
• risk factors

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the participants and the team members of the study for their participation and support given.

Abbreviations

ADL, Activities of Daily Living; ARHL, age-related hearing loss; BMI, body mass index; EP, endocochlear potential; HDL, high-density lipoprotein; HFA, high-frequency pure-tone average; HFAHL, hearing loss based on high-frequency pure-tone average; HL, hearing loss; IADL, Instrumental Activity of Daily Living; LDL, low-density lipoprotein; LRGS-TUA, Long-term Research Grant Scheme - Towards Useful Ageing; MMSE, Mini-Mental State Examination; MoCA, Montreal Cognitive Assessment; MOSS, Medical Outcome Social Support; NAD, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide; NADP, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate; NHMS, National Health Morbidity Survey; PTA, pure-tone average; PTAHL, hearing loss based on pure-tone average; RAVLT, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test; WHODAS 2.0, World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0; YLDs, years lived with disability.

Data Sharing Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.