HUNT hearing

Summary

There remains a scarcity of information regarding the prevalence, risk factors, and implications of hearing loss development. Does an increased life expectancy also result in more years of good hearing? Can we observe improved health outcomes due to better treatments for ear diseases and measures taken to reduce excessive noise exposure in workplaces? The degree of vulnerability to hearing damage varies significantly among individuals, and understanding these vulnerability factors is crucial for providing recommendations and establishing boundaries.

Hearing loss constitutes a potentially modifiable risk factor for severe health issues such as cognitive impairment, dementia, frailty, and mortality. The link between hearing loss and these outcomes may stem from factors like social isolation, communication difficulties, and a lack of cognitive reserve. Despite the growing population of elderly individuals and potentially hearing-impaired workers, our understanding of the significance of hearing loss in the context of working life remains limited.

To delve deeper into this issue, we will leverage data from HUNT, encompassing the hearing surveys conducted in HUNT 2 and 4, alongside the school surveys and population registries. This investigation aims to scrutinize the prevalence, risk factors, and repercussions of hearing loss.