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The characteristic of conventional and extended high-frequency audiometry in older adults – a community-based investigation in South China

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 April 2025

Qiyang Sun ,
Mengqi Zhao ,
Xiaomei Sun ,
Yanfeng Deng ,
Yuzhi Zhang ,
Guanxia Xiong  and
Fanqin Wei Open the ORCID record for Fanqin Wei [Opens in a new window]
Qiyang Sun
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
Mengqi Zhao
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
Xiaomei Sun
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
Yanfeng Deng
Affiliation:
Sun Yat-sen University Zhongshan School of Medicine, Guangzhou, China
Yuzhi Zhang
Affiliation:
Sun Yat-sen University Zhongshan School of Medicine, Guangzhou, China
Guanxia Xiong*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
Fanqin Wei*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
*
Corresponding author: Fanqin Wei; Email: weifanq@mail.sysu.edu.cn and Guanxia Xiong; Email: xguanx@mail.sysu.edu.cn
Corresponding author: Fanqin Wei; Email: weifanq@mail.sysu.edu.cn and Guanxia Xiong; Email: xguanx@mail.sysu.edu.cn
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Abstract

Objectives

To define extended high-frequency hearing threshold ranges in normal hearing elderly (aged 55 years and above) and identify associated risk factors for extended high-frequency hearing loss.

Methods

Pure-tone thresholds (0.25–16 kHz) and word recognition scores were measured using portable audiometric equipment. Lifestyle and medical histories were collected, and generalised linear models analysed risk factors for extended high-frequency hearing (10–12 kHz).

Results

In normal hearing elderly (28 ears, 18 subjects), 95 per cent confidence intervals for 10 and 12 kHz were 34.770–49.301 and 56.976–65.809, respectively. Among 342 ears (200 subjects), hypertension emerged as a leading risk factor for extended high-frequency hearing loss, while lipid-lowering medications showed potential protective effects.

Conclusion

Preliminary extended high-frequency hearing thresholds were established, with hypertension identified as a key risk factor and lipid-lowering medications as a potential protective factor.

Keywords

PresbycusisAudiometrySensorineural Hearing Loss

Information

Type
Main Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 139 , Issue 8 , August 2025 , pp. 687 - 695
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED.

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Footnotes

*

Equal first authors

The data that support the findings of this study are available upon reasonable request.

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