Prevalence and determinants of hearing loss among the aging population in China: insights from the 2023 China National Health Survey.

BACKGROUND

Hearing loss (HL) is a prevalent issue among the aging population in China, with significant health and social consequences. Understanding the epidemiological situation and contributing factors to HL in post-pandemic China is critical for developing effective prevention and intervention strategies.

METHODS

Information on participants' education level, income, noise exposure, tinnitus history, smoking and drinking habits, COVID-19 infection history, and vaccination status was collected through interviews. Additionally, height and weight were measured on-site and fasting blood samples were drawn for blood glucose and serum lipid level testing.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of HL was 74.82%, while the prevalence of high-frequency HL (HF-HL) was 89.10%. Notably, 21.47% of subjects had HF-HL without standard-frequency HL. Multivariable logistic regression identified age, sex, location, education level, noise exposure, tinnitus, ear disease history, smoking, hypertension, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection history, and lipid levels as potential influencing factors for HL. The relationship between lipid metabolism disorders and hearing is complex; triglycerides (TG) exhibited a protective effect on hearing under certain conditions (e.g., when total cholesterol (TC) was < 5.2 mmol/L and TG ≥ 2.3 mmol/L for standard PTA; TC < 5.2 mmol/L and all TG levels for high-frequency PTA).

CONCLUSION

The incidence of hearing loss among older individuals has increased in post-pandemic China. Early identification of at-risk populations, expanded community hearing screening, and public education on hearing health could help more aging individuals prevent hearing decline.