Research Journal of Pharmacology
ISSN: Online 1993-6019ISSN: Print 1815-9362
Abstract
Hearing loss is a common age‐related disability affecting a significant portion of the elderly population, leading to diminished quality of life and social isolation. Understanding the factors contributing to hearing loss in this demographic is crucial for developing targeted interventions. This study aims to identify and analyze the various environmental, health‐related and lifestyle factors contributing to hearing loss in elderly patients. We conducted a cross‐sectional analysis of 160 elderly patients who were assessed at outpatient clinics in a metropolitan area. Data were collected through audiometric tests and standardized questionnaires that included questions on health history, exposure to noise and lifestyle factors. Statistical analyses were used to determine the relationships between these factors and the degree of hearing loss. The findings indicate that exposure to loud environments, history of ototoxic medication use and comorbid conditions such as diabetes and hypertension are significantly associated with increased severity of hearing loss. Lifestyle factors such as smoking and poor diet were also correlated with worse hearing outcomes. The study highlights multiple modifiable and non‐modifiable factors associated with hearing loss in the elderly. These insights can inform future preventive and therapeutic strategies aimed at reducing the prevalence and impact of hearing loss in this population. Further research is needed to explore the causal relationships and potential interventions that could mitigate these risk factors.
How to cite this article:
Karthika Bhagavan, Utkarsh Burli and Disha Khanapure. Hearing Loss in Elderly Patients: A Cross Sectional Analysis of Contributing Factors.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/10.59218/makrjp.2024.1.36.39
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1815-9362/10.59218/makrjp.2024.1.36.39