J Korean Med Assoc.  2011 Sep;54(9):910-917. 10.5124/jkma.2011.54.9.910.

The current state of age-related hearing loss in South Korea

• Lim HW
• Chae SW

• KMID: 2191175
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2011.54.9.910

Abstract

The inevitable deterioration in hearing ability that occurs with age, age-related hearing loss (ARHL) or presbycusis, is a multifactorial process that can vary in severity from mild to profound. The number of cases of age-related hearing loss is growing due to the rapid growth of South Korea's aging population. According to the Korean Health Statistics of 2009, the incidence of unilateral hearing loss in people aged 65 or older is 17.5 percent, while the incidence of bilateral hearing loss exceeds 25.9 percent. Left untreated, age-related hearing loss of a moderate or greater degree affects communication and can decrease quality of life. Comprehensive rehabilitation by hearing aids or cochlear implant are widely available but underused in part because of social attitudes that undervalue the effect of hearing on life, in addition to the cost and stigma associated with hearing aids. Proper screening tests for ARHL should be developed and primary care physicians should screen and refer their elderly patients for assessment and remediation. In addition, development of hearing aids with a low cost of distribution and an increase in the size of government subsidies to hearing aids are imperative.

Keyword

Presbycusis; Rehabilitation; Korea

MeSH Terms

Aged
Aging
Cochlear Implants
Financing, Government
Hearing
Hearing Aids
Hearing Loss
Hearing Loss, Bilateral
Hearing Loss, Unilateral
Humans
Incidence
Korea
Mass Screening
Physicians, Primary Care
Presbycusis
Quality of Life
Republic of Korea

Figure

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  Figure 1 Incidence of bilateral hearing impairment by age groups in 2010. Elder age groups and men showed higher incidence of bilateral hearing impairment (From Korea health statistics 2009: Korea National Health and Nutri-tion Examination Survey [KNHANESIV-3] [Internet]. Cheongwon: Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2011) [22].

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