Hearing Status of Low-Income, Middle-Aged and Elderly Women in Northern China: A Population-Based, Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: Hearing impairment (HI) has become one of the most common causes of disability worldwide. To date, few studies have examined the hearing of women in these frequently rural regions. Thus, we explored the HI prevalence and risk factors among low-income, middle-aged, and elderly women in Tianjin, China.

Methods: Between October and November 2013, female residents aged ≥45 years of rural Tianjin, China were recruited into the study. The participants completed questionnaire surveys, physical examinations, and hearing tests. The hearing at frequencies of 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz, and 4000 Hz was used to analyze the hearing characteristics of specific frequency bands, and HI was defined as the better ear pure tone averages (PTA) >25 dB HL.

Results: Among the 1416 participants, the prevalence of HI was 46.0%. Among those aged 45-54-years, most (65.3%) demonstrated normal hearing; in other age groups, slight HI accounted for the largest proportions of individuals. Compared with women who did not drink, the odds ratio (OR) of HI among women who consumed alcohol was 4.2 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.844-9.574; P = 0.001). Compared with pre-menopausal women, the OR of HI among postmenopausal women was 1.8 (95% CI: 1.261-2.667; P = 0.001). Further, each 1-year increase in age in women resulted in a 7.1% increase in HI risk (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: The burden of HI among women is heavy in rural northern China, especially among those who experienced menopause. Additionally, the results suggest that to further reduce the risk of developing HI, women in rural areas should stop consuming alcohol. The problem of HI among women in rural areas should be taken seriously; moreover, the measures implemented to prevent HI in high-risk women should be strengthened.