# EPIDEMIOLOGY OF AGE-RELATED HEARING LOSS

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON · 1993 · $490,024

## Abstract

The purpose of this epidemiologic study is to measure the prevalence of
hearing loss and evaluate the relationships of hearing loss and
functional changes in the peripheral auditory system to age in a
population-based study of middle and older-aged adults.  The large
(n=4,363) cohort of adults, 48-89 years of age living in Beaver Dam,
Wisconsin, will be examined using standardized protocols.  Hearing
sensitivity, speech recognition, middle-ear function and hair-cell
integrity will be measured.  A standardized questionnaire about ototoxic
drug exposures, noise exposure (adapted from previous epidemiologic
studies) and the functional impact of hearing impairment will be
administered.

This population is already participating in the Beaver Dam Eye Study, an
incidence study of age-related ocular disorders.  We will use data
collected concurrently as part of the eye study, and previously collected
data from examinations five years ago, to assess the relationships of
diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and its risk factors
(total cholesterol, HDL, smoking, blood pressure, and dietary intake of
saturated fat and cholesterol) to age-related decreased hearing
sensitivity.  We will also measure the 2.5 year incidence and progression
of hearing loss in persons over 75 years of age and examine risk factors
for progression.

Prevalence data from this study will be used for estimating the need for
medical counseling and rehabilitative services and projecting health care
costs.  These data are important because of the large numbers of older
persons affected.  Such epidemiologic data are necessary to describe
persons at increased risk and to allow better understanding of possible
etiologic relationships.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3123090
- **Project number:** 1R01AG011099-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
- **SAM.gov UEI:** LCLSJAGTNZQ7
- **Principal Investigator:** KAREN J CRUICKSHANKS
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1993
- **Award amount:** $490,024
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 1993-03-15 → 1998-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3123090

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3123090, EPIDEMIOLOGY OF AGE-RELATED HEARING LOSS (1R01AG011099-01). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3123090. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*