Self-rated health and hearing disorders: study of the Brazilian hearing-impaired population

Abstract

Abstract Hearing impairment (HI) is one of the most impacting handicaps related to social life, and 21% have intense limitation compromising daily activities. However, few studies have investigated SRH in HI. This article aims to verify the association between HI and SRH and factors related to hearing characteristics. Cross-sectional study data from National Health Survey (NHS, 2013) conducted with 1,100 hearing impaired adults (≥18 years old). The outcome was SHR, categorized as good or poor. Poisson regression with robust variance was used to calculate Prevalence Ratios. Sociodemographic variables and characteristics of HI, such as congenital or acquired HI, type of HI, wear hearing aids, and limitation were used in adjusted analysis. Poor SRH was more prevalent in acquired HI, limitation of daily activities, sociodemographic characteristics such as aging, female, black or other skin color, and lower schooling. Poor SRH is related to acquired HI, limitation of daily activities and sociodemographic conditions.