PREVALENCE OF HEARING IMPAIRMENT IN ELDERLY POPULATION WITH COGNITIVE DEFICITS
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Introduction The decline in cognitive function among older adults has been linked to hearing loss, and and may be amenable to rehabilitative interventions. However, the exact prevalence of hearing loss in older adults remains unknown. This study aims to determine the prevalence of hearing loss in a sample of individuals with cognitive impairment attending a tertiary care memory clinic. Method For this cross-sectional study, data from 211 cases of cognitively impaired individuals aged 60 to 80 years were collected from a tertiary care memory clinic. The study assessed cognitive dysfunction and hearing status, obtained demographics through interviews, and analyzed the data using appropriate statistical methods to examine the prevalence of hearing loss and its relationship with demographic variables. Results The study findings indicate a high prevalence of hearing loss among the sample of older adults with cognitive impairment. More than 50 percent of the participants exhibited at least mild hearing loss in the better hearing ear. Among variables examined gender, residential area, education, economic status and self-rated health condition showed a significant relation with hearing impairment. Conclusion The study reveals a substantial prevalence of hearing loss in older adults with cognitive impairment. The findings underscore the importance of incorporating hearing evaluations as part of the cognitive assessment and care management plan for this vulnerable population. Early detection and appropriate intervention for hearing loss may contribute to improved overall well-being and cognitive outcomes in these individuals.
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