Article

General and hearing-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was
examined in elderly Chinese with hearing impairment. METHODS: Sixty-four Chinese
speakers aged >/=65 years and did not use hearing aids were evaluated using
Chinese versions of the Short-Form 36 health survey (SF-36) and the Hearing
Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (Screening Version) (HHIE-S). Results on the
SF-36 were compared to norms obtained in a general elderly Chinese population.
The relationships between HRQoL and degree of hearing impairment, and between
SF-36 and HHIE-S were also evaluated. RESULTS: Elderly Chinese speakers with
hearing impairment rated six of the eight scales of the SF-36 poorer, compared to
a general elderly Chinese population. When average hearing impairment in the
better ear exceeded 40 dB HL, SF-36 ratings were poorer than those with better
hearing. Poorer better ear hearing was significantly related to poorer ratings on
the Vitality scale of the SF-36 and the three scales of the HHIE-S, after
controlling for age, gender and number of coexisting chronic health problems.
Ratings on SF-36 and HHIE-S did not correlate. CONCLUSION: Elderly Chinese who
are hearing impaired experienced poorer general and hearing-specific HRQoL, and
HRQoL is reduced further among those with greater hearing impairment.

Langue : ANGLAIS