Gender differences in self-reported hearing loss and hearing aid use: a cross-national comparison.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Objective measurements estimated that 1.57 billion people globally had hearing loss in 2019. However, where audiologists are sparse, self-reported measures have been suggested as alternatives to assess burden. Moreover, research suggests this number varies by gender, due to biological and social mechanisms. Further refining our knowledge of the global prevalence of hearing loss will provide better understanding of which groups are most affected and how to best allocate resources.

Methods

Using Gateway to Global Ageing data and the South African National Income Dynamics Study, we estimated the prevalence and men:women ratio of self-reported hearing loss and hearing aid use for 28 countries. Hearing loss was measured as having fair/poor hearing or reporting hearing

SUBMITTER: Lam A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12496077 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature