Han Sang-Yoon, Seo Hee Won, Lee Seung Hwan, Chung Jae Ho
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea.
J Korean Med Sci. 2025 Jan 13;40(2):e3. doi: 10.3346/jkms.2025.40.e3.
Hearing level reference values based on the results of recent audiometry have not been established for the general population of South Korea. This study aimed to evaluate the mean hearing levels of each age group and to measure the annual progression of hearing loss.
We used the database of the eighth and ninth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2020 to 2022, and included participants with normal tympanic membranes and without occupational noise exposure. Mean hearing levels were calculated by averaging hearing levels at 0.5 kHz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz, and 4 kHz. Hearing loss was defined as a hearing level exceeding 25 dB in the better ear, and severity of hearing loss was classified as moderate, moderately severe, severe, and profound, following the World Health Organization classification.
Hearing levels and the proportions of patients with hearing loss increased with age. Hearing levels were 9.11 ± 6.28 dB, 13.33 ± 7.85 dB, 19.90 ± 10.30 dB, and 31.95 ± 13.37 dB in those in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s, respectively, and the proportions of patients with hearing loss were 1.81%, 7.51%, 25.32%, and 63.94%, respectively. The annual increase in hearing level was 0.71 dB, and increases were greater at higher frequencies. Hearing loss was also worse in men.
The present study provides reference values for normal hearing levels by age group, and indirectly reveals the progression of age-related hearing loss. Based on the results, physicians will be able to provide appropriate advice regarding hearing levels and the need for monitoring in the elderly.
韩国普通人群尚未根据近期听力测定结果建立听力水平参考值。本研究旨在评估各年龄组的平均听力水平，并测量听力损失的年度进展情况。
我们使用了2020年至2022年第八次和第九次韩国国家健康与营养检查调查的数据库，纳入鼓膜正常且无职业噪声暴露的参与者。平均听力水平通过对0.5kHz、1kHz、2kHz和4kHz处的听力水平求平均值来计算。听力损失定义为较好耳的听力水平超过25dB，听力损失的严重程度按照世界卫生组织的分类分为中度、中重度、重度和极重度。
听力水平以及听力损失患者的比例随年龄增长而增加。40多岁、50多岁、60多岁和70多岁人群的听力水平分别为9.11±6.28dB、13.33±7.85dB、19.90±10.30dB和31.95±13.37dB，听力损失患者的比例分别为1.81%、7.51%、25.32%和63.94%。听力水平的年增加量为0.71dB，高频处增加量更大。男性的听力损失也更严重。
本研究提供了各年龄组正常听力水平的参考值，并间接揭示了年龄相关性听力损失的进展情况。基于这些结果，医生将能够就老年人的听力水平及监测需求提供适当建议。
