B Bergman¹, U Rosenhall²
¹Sahlgren University Hospital/Mölndal, Ophthalmology, Mölndal, Sweden; ²Karolinska Hospital/Institute, Department of Audiology, Stockholm, Sweden
The background of the study:
The aim of the study was to investigate coexistence between visual and hearing impairments in elderly people.
The method used:
The concomitant occurrence of hearing and visual impairments was investigated as part of an epidemiological longitudinal study of elderly persons. An age cohort, originally consisting of 973 elderly persons, was examined with visual and hearing tests at ages 70, 81-82 and 88. The best-corrected visual acuity was assessed. The hearing was measured by pure tone audiometry and whispered and spoken voice (WSV).
The results obtained:
At age 70 about 60% had normal vision and hearing, and 0.4-1% had coexistence of visual (VA≤ 0.4) and hearing impairments (WSV and audiometry, respectively). At 81-82 years more than one tenth had normal vision and hearing, and 3-6% had low vision (VA≤ 0.3) and moderate to severe hearing loss. At 88 years none of the men and less than one tenth of the women had normal vision and hearing, and 8-13% had low vision and moderate to severe hearing loss. At age 88 three times as many women as men had the combination of low vision and normal hearing. Normal vision with the combination of moderate to severe hearing loss was more often found in 88-year-old men. Mild impairments of the two senses were found in 2% at age 70, in 22-11% (WSV - audiometry) at age 81-82, and in 23-9% at age 88 years.
Conclusions:
Mild impairments affecting both senses is commonly encountered, and might result in pronounced problems in everyday activities. Ophthalmologists and audiology physicians should cooperate closely in the rehabilitation process to reduce disability and improve function and well-being among the oldest old.
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