Evaluation of hearing properties of individuals with presbyopia in different age groups

Aging is defined as the process that causes an increased risk of disease and death as a result of the accumulation of negative changes in cells and tissues over time. With aging, functional decreases occur in all sensory systems. The aim of this study is to investigate the possible effects on the hearing of individuals who have aging-related visual impairment (presbyopia). 150 individuals (75 women and 75 men) aged between 40 and 70 years who were diagnosed with presbyopia were included in the study. Individuals are divided into three groups according to their ages (Group I; 40-49 years old, Group II; 50-59 years old, Group III; 60-69 years old). Individuals received standard pure sound audiometry, high frequency audiometry, speech audiometry, acoustic immitansmetry, and scanning transient otoacoustic emission tests. Hearing findings were evaluated by considering prespiopia degrees of individuals. As the degree of presbyopia increased, the mean of the standard pure voice and high frequency hearing thresholds increased (p <0.05), the speech differentiation score decreased (p <0.05), and the scanning transient autoacoustic emission rate decreased (p <0.05). Multiple interactions were examined with multivariate statistical analysis, and as a result of the analysis, it was found that the age variable was the most important variable in the decrease in hearing and vision. The results of the research showed that aging in general causes a decrease in hearing and vision, while on the other hand, a direct relationship cannot be established between presbyopia and presbycusis.