Korean J Fam Med.  2017 Mar;38(2):57-63. 10.4082/kjfm.2017.38.2.57.

Mental Health of the People with Hearing Impairment in Korea: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

• Shin HY
• Hwang HJ

• KMID: 2377476
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.2017.38.2.57

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The prevalence of hearing impairment is increasing and an association between hearing impairment and mental health has been reported. Our study aimed to determine the association between hearing impairment and mental health in Korea.
METHODS
This was a cross-sectional study of data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010-2013, with a sample size of 18,563 individuals (6,395 with hearing impairment and 12,168 without hearing impairment), aged ≥20 years.
RESULTS
The female group with hearing impairment tended to have a higher rate of stress (odds ratio [OR], 1.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11 to 1.56). The association between hearing impairment and depressive symptoms was higher in elderly males (OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.10 to 2.32), while the association of hearing impairment with suicide ideation was higher in elderly females (OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.75).
CONCLUSION
Elderly individuals with hearing impairment are easily susceptible to poor mental health status. Early targeted intervention to address mental health problems is recommended for people with hearing impairment.

Keyword

Depression; Hearing; Impairment; Mental Health; Suicide; Stress

MeSH Terms

Aged
Cross-Sectional Studies*
Depression
Female
Hearing Loss*
Hearing*
Humans
Korea*
Male
Mental Health*
Nutrition Surveys
Prevalence
Sample Size
Suicide