Volume 25, Issue 3 pp. 366-373

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: EPIDEMIOLOGY CLINICAL PRACTICE AND HEALTH

Association of high-frequency hearing loss with examination data and lifestyle in 36 000 middle-aged and older adults

Yuri Akamatsu,

Corresponding Author

Yuri Akamatsu

[email protected]

orcid.org/0000-0003-4391-346X

Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan

Department of Health Informatics, School of Public Health, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

Seirei Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Medicine, Seirei Social Welfare Community, Hamamatsu, Japan

Correspondence

Yuri Akamatsu, MD, MPH, Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, 1-20-1 Handayama, Higashi-ku, Hamamatsu 431-3192, Japan. Email: [email protected]

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Toshiyuki Ojima,

Toshiyuki Ojima

Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan

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Hiroshi Nakanishi,

Hiroshi Nakanishi

Department of Otorhinolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan

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Kiyoshi Misawa,

Kiyoshi Misawa

Department of Otorhinolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan

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Takeo Nakayama,

Takeo Nakayama

Department of Health Informatics, School of Public Health, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

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Yuri Akamatsu,

Corresponding Author

Yuri Akamatsu

[email protected]

orcid.org/0000-0003-4391-346X

Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan

Department of Health Informatics, School of Public Health, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

Seirei Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Medicine, Seirei Social Welfare Community, Hamamatsu, Japan

Correspondence

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Toshiyuki Ojima,

Toshiyuki Ojima

Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan

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Hiroshi Nakanishi,

Hiroshi Nakanishi

Department of Otorhinolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan

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Kiyoshi Misawa,

Kiyoshi Misawa

Department of Otorhinolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan

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Takeo Nakayama,

Takeo Nakayama

Department of Health Informatics, School of Public Health, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

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First published: 29 January 2025

https://doi.org/10.1111/ggi.15062

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Abstract

Aim

Hearing loss is a public health issue; further studies are warranted to elucidate preventable factors. This study aimed to explore the associations of bilateral high-frequency hearing loss (HFHL) with examination data and lifestyle behaviors, using the Comprehensive Health Checkup System (Ningen Dock) data in Japan.

Methods

This cross-sectional study used Ningen Dock data obtained from the Seirei Health Care Division for 2020. HFHL was defined as inaudibility of 40 dB at 4 kHz. The Areal Deprivation Index (ADI) in Japan was used as an indicator of socioeconomic status. Binomial logistic regression analysis by sex was performed to evaluate the association of bilateral HFHL with each binarized examination data and lifestyle behavior, with age and the ADI as covariates.

Results

This study included 36,137 participants (60% male; mean age, approximately 60 years in both sexes). The odds ratios (ORs) for high uric acid (UA) levels in the examination data and current regular smoking in lifestyle behaviors were statistically significantly the highest (males: 1.27, 1.57; females: 3.56, 2.41, respectively). The OR for excessive alcohol consumption, especially large amounts consumed per occasion, was also statistically significant (males: 1.25; females: 2.15). Additionally, the ORs for high aminotransferase and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase levels in females were statistically significant.

Conclusions

High UA levels, current regular smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption were associated with bilateral HFHL in both sexes. Especially, the findings regarding high UA levels and the large amount of alcohol consumption per occasion are novel, warranting longitudinal studies. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2025; 25: 366–373.

Open Research

Data Availability Statement

Data sharing not applicable to this article as no datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.

Supporting Information

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Volume25, Issue3

March 2025

Pages 366-373

Filename	Description
ggi15062-sup-0001-Supplement1.xlsxExcel 2007 spreadsheet , 12.5 KB	Data S1. Supporting Information.
ggi15062-sup-0002-Supplement2.xlsxExcel 2007 spreadsheet , 12 KB	Data S2. Supporting Information.

Association of high-frequency hearing loss with examination data and lifestyle in 36 000 middle-aged and older adults

Abstract

Aim

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Open Research

Data Availability Statement

Supporting Information

References

References

Information

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Association of high-frequency hearing loss with examination data and lifestyle in 36 000 middle-aged and older adults

Abstract

Aim

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Open Research

Data Availability Statement

Supporting Information

References

References

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Information