Prevalence and Handicap of Hearing Loss in the Older Adult at the Kenyatta National Hospital

Abstract

Background Hearing loss is the second most common chronic health problem in the older adult and a known to cause significant psychosocial embarrassment, stigma and a significant risk of environmental injury. It is an independent associated factor for early cognitive debility, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Early identification of the condition may help preserve residual hearing, provide rehabilitation and psychosocial support. Objective To determine the prevalence and handicap of hearing loss in the older adult patient at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH). Study Population and setting Patients aged 60 years and above attending the outpatient clinics at KNH Methodology This was a cross-sectional study. Study subjects recruited from the adult outpatient clinics were informed of the study and consent was obtained. History and physical examination were undertaken followed by assessment with the Hearing Handicap Index for the Elderly Screening (HHIE-S). Finally, pure tone audiometry (PTA) was performed to evaluate the level of hearing loss. The data collected was analysed using SPSS version 22. Results There were 180 participants in the study, 60% were males and 40% were females with an age range from 60 years to 103 years. The prevalence of hearing loss was 80.6%. Majority of the hearing loss was sensorineural (58%), bilateral hearing loss was 66.7% and disabling hearing loss was 51.1%. Though most of the patients had significant hearing loss, only 22% reported mild to moderate handicap in the HHIE-S questionnaire. There was an increase in the threshold of hearing loss with increase in age. Conclusion and recommendation A large proportion of the elderly have disabling hearing loss that they are not aware of it. Routine PTA in the elderly would encourage early detection and intervention.