Quality of life in older Chinese-speaking adults with hearing impairment

Disabil Rehabil. 2012;34(8):655-64. doi: 10.3109/09638288.2011.619614. Epub 2011 Nov 14.

Abstract

Purpose: General and hearing-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was examined in elderly Chinese with hearing impairment.

Methods: Sixty-four Chinese speakers aged ≥65 years and did not use hearing aids were evaluated using Chinese versions of the Short-Form 36 health survey (SF-36) and the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (Screening Version) (HHIE-S). Results on the SF-36 were compared to norms obtained in a general elderly Chinese population. The relationships between HRQoL and degree of hearing impairment, and between SF-36 and HHIE-S were also evaluated.

Results: Elderly Chinese speakers with hearing impairment rated six of the eight scales of the SF-36 poorer, compared to a general elderly Chinese population. When average hearing impairment in the better ear exceeded 40 dB HL, SF-36 ratings were poorer than those with better hearing. Poorer better ear hearing was significantly related to poorer ratings on the Vitality scale of the SF-36 and the three scales of the HHIE-S, after controlling for age, gender and number of coexisting chronic health problems. Ratings on SF-36 and HHIE-S did not correlate.

Conclusion: Elderly Chinese who are hearing impaired experienced poorer general and hearing-specific HRQoL, and HRQoL is reduced further among those with greater hearing impairment.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Asian People / psychology*
  • Audiometry, Pure-Tone
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Female
  • Health Status
  • Health Surveys
  • Hearing Loss / diagnosis
  • Hearing Loss / psychology*
  • Hong Kong
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Persons With Hearing Impairments / psychology*
  • Quality of Life / psychology*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires