A survey on hearing acuity of centenarians in Hainan Province

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate hearing acuity of centenarians in Hainan Province and provide basis for interventional considerations. METHOD: Door-to-door follow-up was conducted to investigate hearing acuity of centenarians (aged 100 years or above) in Hainan Province. Physical examination, pure tone audiometry and acoustic impedance test were performed, and the results were analyzed. RESULT: A total of 460 centenarians (920 ears) were tested by pure tone audiometry. The rate of normal hearing was 0.2%, the rate of mild hearing loss was 1.5%, 12% for moderate hearing loss, 33.9% for moderate to severe hearing loss, 37.4% for severe hearing loss is and 15% for profound hearing loss. Acoustic impedance test was performed in 340 centenarians (668 ears). Tympanogram was type A in 41.2% of the ears, type As in 34.1% ears, type Ad in 6.4%, type B in 11.8%, and type C in 4.9% of the ears, while no response was elicited in 1.5% of the ears. CONCLUSION: Age related sensorineural hearing loss is prevalent among centenarians in Hainan Province. A probably beneficial intervention may be the use of hearing aids for effective communication.