Changes in hearing in 80-year-old people: a 10-year follow-up study

The aims of this prospective 10-year longitudinal population study were to report changes in hearing in people aged 80 years at baseline, and to assess such changes by comparing results from both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. The study population comprised all residents of the city of Jyvaskyla born in 1910 (n = 291). The subjects' hearing was tested on three occasions at 5-year intervals with the use of pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry, and self-report on hearing difficulties. The results showed a significant deterioration in hearing sensitivity in both the longitudinal and cross-sectional assessments over the 10-year follow-up. However, the change in self-assessed hearing difficulties was not significant. Hearing aids were not used by over 75% of those who had moderate hearing impairment. Self-assessed hearing difficulties at baseline were associated with increased mortality. Hearing deterioration in elderly people and their low level of use of hearing aids deserve closer attention in the healthcare system.