Quality of life in older Chinese-speaking adults with hearing impairment

Purpose: General and hearing-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was examined in elderly Chinese with hearing impairment. Methods: Sixty-four Chinese speakers aged >= 65 years and did not use hearing aids were evaluated using Chinese versions of the Short-Form 36 health survey (SF-36) and the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (Screening Version) (HHIE-S). Results on the SF-36 were compared to norms obtained in a general elderly Chinese population. The relationships between HRQoL and degree of hearing impairment, and between SF-36 and HHIE-S were also evaluated. Results: Elderly Chinese speakers with hearing impairment rated six of the eight scales of the SF-36 poorer, compared to a general elderly Chinese population. When average hearing impairment in the better ear exceeded 40 dB HL, SF-36 ratings were poorer than those with better hearing. Poorer better ear hearing was significantly related to poorer ratings on the Vitality scale of the SF-36 and the three scales of the HHIE-S, after controlling for age, gender and number of coexisting chronic health problems. Ratings on SF-36 and HHIE-S did not correlate. Conclusion: Elderly Chinese who are hearing impaired experienced poorer general and hearing-specific HRQoL, and HRQoL is reduced further among those with greater hearing impairment.