Characteristics,Causes and Intervention Strategies of Hearing and Speech Disabilities among Older Adults in China
LIU Yunduo
GUO Shuai
ZHAO Yihao
XING Wanli
FENG Lei
DAI Pu
ZHENG Xiaoying
Abstract：Objective To examine the prevalence and risk factors associated with hearing and speech disabilities,as well as concurrent impairments,among older adults in China in 1987 and 2006.Methods Using data from the China National Sample Survey on Disability in 1987 and 2006,this study performed a descriptive analysis to assess the preva-lence and distribution of hearing and speech disabilities among older adults,along with concurrent impairments.Addi-tionally,logistic regression models were employed to identify the relationship between the prevalence and severity of hearing and speech disabilities and their co-occurrence with other forms of disabilities.Results From 1987 to 2006,the standardized prevalence of hearing and speech disabilities among older adults in China decreased from 14.34%to 10.96%.Among the types of concurrent disabilities,hearing and speech disabilities combined with visual impairments had the highest proportion,followed by hearing and speech disabilities combined with physical,intellectual and mental disabilities.After controlling for sociodemographic factors,in 1987,older adults with visual,physical and intellectual disabilities had 3.09,1.53,and 2.62 times the risk of developing hearing and speech disabilities compared to those with-out other disabilities,while in 2006,these risks decreased to 2.07,1.23 and 1.61 times,respectively.In 1987,the risk of severe hearing and speech disabilities for older adults with concurrent visual,physical,intellectual and mental disabili-ties was 1.35,1.76,1.91,and 4.48 times higher,respectively,than for those with only hearing and speech disabilities.By 2006,these risks had reduced to 1.16,1.47,2.20 and 1.67 times,respectively.Conclusion Over a span of 20 years,Chi-na has made notable advancements in the prevention and treatment of hearing and speech disabilities among older adults.However,there remains a need to reinforce rehabilitation services for older adults with multiple disabilities.Fur-thermore,targeted interventions for specific disabilities within the primary healthcare system should be improved,with a focus on enhancing disability prevention,early screening,continuous follow-up,timely intervention and comprehensive outcome evaluation.
Keywords：older adultshearing and speech disabilityconcurrent impairments
Publication Date：2024-08-28
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：6( 573-578 )