Hearing Loss in the Elderly and Risk Factors Affecting the Condition of Hearing Loss Amongst the Elderly

Background and Objectives Presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss, emerges as an unavoidable consequence of aging, profoundly disrupting communication and diminishing quality of life. This study seeks to delve into the nuanced characteristics of audiograms and identify critical risk factors influencing presbycusis in individuals aged 60 years and above.Subjects and Method This study employs a comprehensive retrospective and prospective cross-sectional design to analyze presbycusis in 149 patients aged 60 years or older at the Institute of Biomedical Research in Ho Chi Minh City between January 2020 and August 2023.Results The mean age of participants was 74.3 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.44. Audiometric analyses revealed bilateral hearing loss in all participants, predominantly at grade 3 severity (47% of right ears, 51.7% of left ears). Sensorineural hearing loss was prevalent in 75% of right ears and 77% of left ears, while the remaining cases presented with mixed hearing loss. Audiogram configurations were primarily flat patterns (53%-56%). A strong positive correlation was identified between advancing age and increasing severity of hearing loss. Furthermore, hearing impairment severity showed significant associations with comorbid hypertension (22.8%), smoking history (16.8%) and female with maternal family history of hearing loss (11.4%), suggesting a higher likelihood of severe presbycusis.Conclusion The severity of hearing loss increases significantly in older patients. In addition to age-related degeneration, risk factors such as hypertension, tobacco use, and maternal familial history in female patients further contribute to the progression and severity of presbycusis.