Hearing Loss Among US Teenagers Increases By 31%

Editor's Choice
Main Category: Hearing / Deafness
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 17 Aug 2010 - 15:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

Hearing loss among American teenagers rose by approximately 31% from 1988-1994 to 2005-2006, according to a study published in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association). In the year 2005-2006 one fifth of all US kids had some level of hearing loss.

The report states that hearing loss is a common sensory disorder that affects tens of millions of Americans of all ages. However, adolescent hearing loss is not so well understood and can have significant implications for a child's academic and social life.

There are several risk factors linked to hearing loss. The researchers say that of particular importance to teenagers is loud sound exposure.

Josef Shargorodsky, M.D., M.P.H., of Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, and team looked at two comparable databases to determine whether hearing loss prevalence among teenagers has changed. They also sought to asses characteristics of hearing impairment in the 12-to 19-year-old age group.

The databases were the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), 1988-1994, and NHANES 2005-2006. NHANES III examined 2,928 participants and NHANES 2005-2006 examined 1,771 participants, ages 12 to 19 years.

Audio-metrically determined hearing loss was classed as:

• Either unilateral (one ear) or bilateral (both ears) for low frequency (0.5,1, and 2 kilohertz [kHz])
• High frequency (3,4,6, and 8 kHz)
• Slight loss (greater than 15 to less than 25 decibels [dB])
• Mild or greater loss (25 dB or greater)
..according to hearing sensitivity in the worse ear.

An analysis of data revealed that the prevalence of hearing loss among 12-to-19 year olds was:

• 14.9% in 1988-1994
• 19.5% (approximately 6.5 million individuals) in 2005-2006

There was a 31% increase of hearing loss over the 1988-1994 to 2005-2006 period. In the majority of cases hearing loss was slight.

The prevalence of any unilateral hearing loss (hearing loss in just one ear) was:

• 11.1% in 1988-1994
• 14% in 2005-2006

The prevalence of any bilateral hearing loss (hearing loss in both ears) was:

• 3.8% in 1988-1994
• 5.5% in 2005-2006

High frequency loss prevalence was:

• 12.8% in 1988-1994
• 16.4% in 2005-2006

Low frequency hearing loss prevalence was:

• 6.1% in 1988-1994
• 9% in 2005-2006

The prevalence of mild or worse hearing loss was significantly higher in NHANES 2005-2006 than in the 1988-1994 cycle, representing a 77% rise, the report revealed

Hearing loss among girls was much lower than boys in 2005-2006.

Histories of 3 or more ear infections, firearm use, and loud noise exposure for 5 or more hours in a week were not significantly associated with any hearing loss in 2005-2006.

Hearing loss prevalence among adolescents at the lower end of the socioeconomic scale was much higher than those above the federal poverty threshold, the research reported.

The authors concluded:

The prevalence of hearing loss among a sample of U.S. adolescents aged 12 to 19 years was greater in 2005-2006 compared with 1988-1994. Further studies are needed to determine reasons for this increase and to identify potential modifiable risk factors to prevent the development of hearing loss.

"Change in Prevalence of Hearing Loss in US Adolescents"
Josef Shargorodsky, MD, MPH; Sharon G. Curhan, MD, ScM; Gary C. Curhan, MD, ScD; Roland Eavey, MD, SM
JAMA. 2010;304(7):772-778. doi:10.1001/jama.2010.1124

Written by Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

• Additional
• References
• Citations