Year: 2026 | Month: May | Volume: 16 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 120-130
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20260515
A Study to Assess the Prevalence of Overt Hearing Loss in Geriatric Population in Rural Tamil Nadu - A Community Based Cross Sectional Study
Nikhil S Bhardwaj1, Ramya Baburajan2, Sahana Shree S3
1Associate Professor, Department of ENT, 2Assistant Professor, Department of ENT, 3FinalYear MBBS Student,
St Peter’s Medical College, Hospital and Research Institute, Hosur, India
Corresponding Author: Dr. Nikhil S Bhardwaj
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The world's ageing population is going through a crisis of hearing loss that isn't getting enough attention. It is the third most common cause of years lived with a handicap in the world, and it affects more than 25% of adults over 60. In India, especially in rural Tamil Nadu, the rate of geriatric diseases is seventy-two percent because of untreated infections, noise, and poor healthcare. People often think that this invisible handicap as just a normal part of getting old, yet it can cause significant social isolation, speed up cognitive decline, and lead to melancholy. Because much of the data we have comes from hospital records, we need community-based studies right once to find out the real burden, plan solutions, and make sure that seniors may age in a healthy and dignified way.
Material and methods: This was a community-based cross-sectional study conducted among the elderly population in the rural field practice regions of a semi-rural tertiary care teaching hospital in South India, namely from villages participating in the Family Adoption Program (FAP) of this medical college.
Results: This study included 260 rural elderly persons (mean age 71 yrs; 136 females, 124 males) to determine the prevalence and psychosocial effects of hearing loss. Clinical evaluations indicated that 54.2% had normal hearing, whereas 45.8% demonstrated significant hearing loss, comprising 68 bilateral and 51 unilateral instances. The questionnaire brought to light major psychosocial problems. The most common problem was understanding whispered communication, which affected 41.5% of the people who took part. Hearing problems made 14.2% of the group feel embarrassed when they met new people, and they caused fights in families for 52 persons. Also, 19 people said they felt disabled, and their everyday activities or social events were clearly affected.
Conclusion: Age-related hearing loss necessitates comprehensive interventions that extend beyond mere clinical diagnosis. Some of the most important suggestions are full rehabilitation, family counselling, regular primary health care examinations, financial help for hearing aids, and public infrastructure plans that incorporate everyone.
Key words: Overt hearing loss, Presbycusis, Psychosocial Distress