Rahul K Sharma1, Anil K Lalwani1,2, Justin S Golub1. 1. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA. 2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, New York City, New York, U.S.A.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The progression and asymmetry of age-related hearing loss has not been well characterized in those 80 years of age and older because public datasets mask upper extremes of age to protect anonymity. We aim to characterize the progression, severity, and asymmetry of hearing loss in those 80 years of age and older using a representative, national database. METHODS: Cross-sectional, multicentered U.S. epidemiologic analysis using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005 to 2006, 2009 to 2010, and 2011 to 2012 cycles. Subjects included noninstitutionalized, civilian adults aged 80 years and older (n = 621). Federal security clearance was granted to access publicly restricted age data. Outcome measures included pure-tone average (PTA) air conduction thresholds and the 4-frequency PTA. RESULTS: Six hundred and twenty-one subjects were 80 years old or older (mean = 84.2 years, range = 80-104 years), representing 10,600,197 Americans. The average PTA was 38.9 dB (95% confidence interval [CI] = 37.8, 40.0). Hearing loss exhibited constant acceleration across the adult lifespan at a rate of 0.0052 dB/year2 (95% CI = 0.0049, 0.0055). This model predicted mean PTA within 2 dB of accuracy for most ages between 20 and 100 years. From age 80 years to approximately 100 years, the average PTA difference between the better and worse ear was 6.75 dB (95% CI = 5.8, 7.1). This asymmetry was relatively constant (i.e., nonsignificant linear regression coefficient of asymmetry over age = 0.07 [95% CI = -0.01, 0.2]). CONCLUSION: Hearing loss steadily and predictably accelerates across the adult lifespan to at least age 100 years, becoming near universal. These population-level statistics will guide treatment and policy recommendations for hearing health in the older old. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 131:879-884, 2021.
OBJECTIVE: The progression and asymmetry of age-related hearing loss has not been well characterized in those 80 years of age and older because public datasets mask upper extremes of age to protect anonymity. We aim to characterize the progression, severity, and asymmetry of hearing loss in those 80 years of age and older using a representative, national database. METHODS: Cross-sectional, multicentered U.S. epidemiologic analysis using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005 to 2006, 2009 to 2010, and 2011 to 2012 cycles. Subjects included noninstitutionalized, civilian adults aged 80 years and older (n = 621). Federal security clearance was granted to access publicly restricted age data. Outcome measures included pure-tone average (PTA) air conduction thresholds and the 4-frequency PTA. RESULTS: Six hundred and twenty-one subjects were 80 years old or older (mean = 84.2 years, range = 80-104 years), representing 10,600,197 Americans. The average PTA was 38.9 dB (95% confidence interval [CI] = 37.8, 40.0). Hearing loss exhibited constant acceleration across the adult lifespan at a rate of 0.0052 dB/year2 (95% CI = 0.0049, 0.0055). This model predicted mean PTA within 2 dB of accuracy for most ages between 20 and 100 years. From age 80 years to approximately 100 years, the average PTA difference between the better and worse ear was 6.75 dB (95% CI = 5.8, 7.1). This asymmetry was relatively constant (i.e., nonsignificant linear regression coefficient of asymmetry over age = 0.07 [95% CI = -0.01, 0.2]). CONCLUSION: Hearing loss steadily and predictably accelerates across the adult lifespan to at least age 100 years, becoming near universal. These population-level statistics will guide treatment and policy recommendations for hearing health in the older old. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 131:879-884, 2021.
Authors: Jennifer A Deal; A Richey Sharrett; Karen Bandeen-Roche; Stephen B Kritchevsky; Lisa A Pompeii; B Gwen Windham; Frank R Lin Journal: J Am Geriatr Soc Date: 2016-04 Impact factor: 5.562
Authors: Justin S Golub; Adam M Brickman; Adam J Ciarleglio; Nicole Schupf; José A Luchsinger Journal: J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci Date: 2020-02-14 Impact factor: 6.053
Authors: Kapil Wattamwar; Z Jason Qian; Jenna Otter; Matthew J Leskowitz; Francesco F Caruana; Barbara Siedlecki; Jaclyn B Spitzer; Anil K Lalwani Journal: JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg Date: 2018-07-01 Impact factor: 6.223
Authors: Frank R Lin; Kristine Yaffe; Jin Xia; Qian-Li Xue; Tamara B Harris; Elizabeth Purchase-Helzner; Suzanne Satterfield; Hilsa N Ayonayon; Luigi Ferrucci; Eleanor M Simonsick Journal: JAMA Intern Med Date: 2013-02-25 Impact factor: 21.873
Authors: Nienke C Homans; R Mick Metselaar; J Gertjan Dingemanse; Marc P van der Schroeff; Michael P Brocaar; Marjan H Wieringa; Rob J Baatenburg de Jong; Albert Hofman; André Goedegebure Journal: Laryngoscope Date: 2016-07-05 Impact factor: 3.325
Authors: Alexandria L Irace; Brady Q Rippon; Adam M Brickman; José A Luchsinger; Justin S Golub Journal: Otol Neurotol Date: 2022-03-01 Impact factor: 2.311