Wilson P S, Fleming D M, Donaldson I
Department of Otolaryngology, Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham.
Br J Gen Pract. 1993 Oct;43(375):406-9.
The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of hearing loss among people aged 65 years and over and to offer hearing aids where necessary. The study was carried out in a large health centre practice in Birmingham with a computerized record system. All patients aged 65 years, and a 20% random sample of patients aged 66 years and over were invited for interview. They were questioned about hearing loss and examined audiometrically. All patients with a hearing loss in the better ear of 35 decibels or more over the speech frequencies (0.5-4 kHz) were offered a hearing aid. A total of 322 patients attended (72% of those invited) and of these 34 patients already had a hearing aid. A further 142 patients were identified for whom an aid was recommended and 69 of these accepted. The acceptance rate was higher among men than women (57% compared with 43%). Sixty one patients (19% of those screened) had an asymmetrical hearing loss and of these 24 required consultant assessment; none had serious underlying pathology. There is a large unmet need for hearing aid provision. Simple audiometric assessment in health centres provides an opportunity to meet this need.
本研究的目的是评估65岁及以上人群中听力损失的患病率，并在必要时提供助听器。该研究在伯明翰的一家拥有计算机记录系统的大型健康中心开展。邀请了所有65岁的患者以及66岁及以上患者中20%的随机样本接受访谈。询问他们有关听力损失的情况，并进行听力测定检查。所有在言语频率（0.5 - 4千赫）时较好耳听力损失达35分贝或更高的患者都被提供了助听器。共有322名患者前来就诊（占受邀者的72%），其中34名患者已经佩戴了助听器。另外有142名患者被确定推荐使用助听器，其中69名接受了推荐。男性的接受率高于女性（分别为57%和43%）。61名患者（占筛查者的19%）存在不对称性听力损失，其中24名需要咨询评估；没有人有严重的潜在病理问题。在提供助听器方面存在大量未满足的需求。在健康中心进行简单的听力测定评估提供了满足这一需求的机会。
