Audiologic Pattern in Elderly Patients: A Tertiary Care Experience

Background: Like many other countries, the elderly population is on rise in Pakistan. Increasing age has an impact on hearing. Patterns of hearing loss in patients presenting to our clinic was never studied before hence, we decided to analyze the audiological profile of elderly patients undergoing audiometry in our clinic and to see genders differences if there are any. Materials and Methods: It was a Cross-sectional study conducted at Aga Khan Hospital, from January to May 2013. Data was collected regarding audiological complaint, type, degree of hearing loss and hearing thresholds by chart review of 246 patients above age 60 who underwent audiometry at our clinic from Jan to May 2013. The results were statistically analyzed by using t-test for continuous variables and Chi-Square and Fischer exact where appropriate for categorical variables. Results: In audiologic complaints (hearing loss, tinnitus, Vertigo). We noted a statistically significant difference (p< 0.01) between the genders; tonal audiometry showed a non-significant difference (p=.307). Among men and women, the most common type of hearing loss was sensorineural. No statistical difference (p=.527) was noted in prevalence of presbycusis among gender. Conclusion: We found a high prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss in both genders. We had a variable degree of hearing loss ranging from mild to profound. The highest prevalence was seen to be that of moderate hearing loss. Comparison of higher frequencies with lower ones on audiometry amongst both gender showed a higher involvement of higher frequencies that gives rise to descending audiometric curves suggestive of presbycusis. Keywords: Sensorineural hearing loss; Audiometry; Presbycusi