AUDIOLOGICAL PROFILE AND TIME OF HEARING DEPRIVATION OF OLDER ADULTS IN THE OUTPATIENT HEARING HEALTH SERVICE PROGRAM (OHHS)

Abstract

Introduction: Changes in the auditory system in older adults are potentially disabling since they may imply direct losses in communication and quality of life of older adults. The Individual Sound Amplification Device (ISAD) is an essential alternative to rehabilitation, making sounds audible and preventing hearing deprivation. Objective: Characterize the older adult population that enters the program Granting ISAD in the SUS concerning psychosocial aspects, form of communication, previous experience with ISADs, and time of hearing deprivation. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study analyzing the Hearing Health System (HHS) database of the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS) of Santa Catarina, a state in southern Brazil. Data were collected from evaluations concerning the multidisciplinary team, including the audiological, psychological, social worker, and otolaryngologist evaluations. Results: Female patients (53.51%) with onset of postlingual loss (100%) were predominant. Most patients reported difficulty in social interaction (99%), first contact with ISAD (89.1%), communication by oral language (99.7%), presence of tinnitus (70%), and expectation of the condition not to worsen with the use of ISADs (41.8%). The primary diagnostic hypothesis identified was Age-Related Hearing Loss (59.7%), and the most common disease associated with hearing impairment was hypertension (67.7%). The predominant bilateral hearing loss consisted of sensorineural loss, with 80.1% for the right ear and 80% for the left ear, and moderately severe degree as the most common, with 33.9% for the RE and 34.5% for the LE. The retroauricular device was the most selected. The time of hearing deprivation was 12 years or more for 31.6% of the subjects.  Conclusion: This study showed a significant impact of hearing loss on the quality of life of older adults, showing that the SUS represents the only possibility of acquiring ISADs for most of this population.