Audiological study of Geriatric Population

Abstract

 Hearing loss leads to social isolation in aging persons. An early and adequate diagnosis has an important role in defining the medical strategy, such as adapting sound amplification devices and rehabilitation procedures for auditory function in the elderly. The Cross sectional study has been done of 75 cases of above 60 year during the year of Jan. 2010 to Oct.2011 from audiometry department of L.G. hospital and V.S. hospital. Pure tone thresholds tested for frequencies 500Hz to 8kHz in audiometry were increased in the geriatric population. Result showed that the onset of hearing loss is typically in the six and seven decade of life. Pure-tone thresholds in females were statistically lower at higher frequencies compared to males, suggesting that aging begins earlier in men. Subjects working outside home and exposed to noise pollution were affected more with the hearing impairment. Majority of Geriatric subjects showed bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The degree of hearing loss was mild to moderate in majority of cases of Geriatric population. The complaint effect was not observed at the thresholds tested in this study. High-frequency audiometry may be used in audiology clinics as a routine procedure with advantages in diagnosis.