Modifiable determinants of hearing impairment in adults.

PubMed ID: 21871479

Author(s): Zhan W, Cruickshanks KJ, Klein BE, Klein R, Huang GH, Pankow JS, Gangnon RE, Tweed TS. Modifiable determinants of hearing impairment in adults. Prev Med. 2011 Oct;53(4-5):338-42. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2011.08.012. Epub 2011 Aug 17. PMID 21871479

Journal: Preventive Medicine, Volume 53, Issue 4 5, Oct 2011

OBJECTIVE To identify factors contributing to the declining prevalence of hearing impairment in more recent generations.

METHODS We used data on hearing thresholds and potential risk factors of hearing impairment collected from studies in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, the Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study (1993-1995, n=3753; 1998-2000, n=2800 and 2003-2005, n=2395), the concurrent Beaver Dam Eye Study on the same cohort, and a subgroup (n=2173) of the Beaver Dam Offspring Study (2005-2008).

RESULTS Educational attainment significantly reduced the odds ratio (OR) of the birth cohort effect on hearing impairment from 0.90 to 0.93, while a history of ear infection had a reverse effect on the decreasing trend (significantly changing the OR from 0.93 to 0.94). Occupational noise exposure, smoking, and a history of cardiovascular disease, while associated with hearing impairment, did not attenuate the cohort effect. The cohort effect remained significant after known risk factors were adjusted (OR=0.93; 95% confidence interval, 0.89-0.97).

CONCLUSION These data provide strong evidence that environmental, lifestyle, or other modifiable factors contribute to the etiology of hearing impairment and add support to the idea that hearing impairment in adults may be prevented or delayed.