Audiometric Profile of Presbyacusis in North India: Georgean Experience of 7000 Cases

Presbyacusis is common in early 50s, while genetic/ environmental influences that differentially affect presbyacusis seem relevant in racial and regional perspective.

To describe audiometric profile of presbyacusis in North India and its relevance with age/ gender/ associated comorbidities.

Audiometric profile of about 7000 patients (> 50y) with SNHL were analysed in terms of curve-profile (‘Flat’, ‘High-Frequency Gently Sloping’, ‘High-Frequency Steeply Sloping’), ‘Mixed category’, ‘Interaural Asymmetry’ and ‘Notched Hearing Loss’ along with their association with age, gender and co-morbidity status. An attempt was made to compare hearing thresholds across frequencies (0.5,1,2,3,4,6,8 kHz) in pairs. Furthermore, thresholds across different frequencies were compared across age group-pairs using independent t-test and curve-types across various age-categories using chi square test.

Maximum (31.1%) cases were seen early (50-55y). The common co-morbidities included visual(72%), cardiac(33%) and diabetic(25%) dysfunction. The gently sloping configuration was commonest and majority of flat curves were seen in females (gently or steeply sloping in males). In > 80y age no significance was appreciated between gender and type of curve. The interaural asymmetry was significantly associated with age specially in ‘lower’ age-groups. The comparison of paired thresholds across frequencies, and mean thresholds across paired age groups revealed a very significant relationship.

Mixed type of curves were more common, and females seemed less predisposed to early onset presbyacusis while high frequency slope showed more detrimental effect in males at ‘earlier’ age. Many thresholds across many frequencies do not predict any relationship with age, necessitating special attention in tuning / calibration of hearing aids. Deterioration every 5 years suggests less expensive aid with 5y-life to be manufactured for better economy and noise pollution in particular should be considered for community control.