The prevalence of hearing and vision loss in older Canadians: An analysis of Data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

Abstract

Objective: To describe the prevalence of hearing loss (HL), vision loss (VL) and dual sensory loss (DSL) in Canadians aged 45-85. Methods: Data from the first wave of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging were used. Audiometry and visual acuity were measured. Prevalence proportions for 2012-2015 and counts for 2011 and 2016 were estimated.Results: In 2016, 1.5 million Canadian males aged 45-85 had HL, 1.8 million had VL, and 570,000 had DSL. Among females, 1.2 million had HL, 2.2 million had VL, and 450,000 had DSL. Prevalence counts increased 8.7-16.9% between 2011 and 2016. Prevalence proportions increased with age but decreased exponentially with severity of impairment. Males were more likely to have HL and DSL; VL was more common in females.Conclusion: HL, VL and DSL are highly prevalent among older Canadian adults.

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment After Omission of Hearing‐Dependent Subtests: Psychometrics and Clinical Recommendations

“…The sample from the original MoCA validation study (54% female) consisted of healthy controls (N = 90; mean age = 72.8 y), individuals with MCI (N = 94; mean age = 75.2 y), and those with mild AD (N = 93; mean age = 76.7 y). MCI diagnosis was determined using previously established criteria .…”

“…Importantly, the results of cognitive screening for OAs with unidentified HL may not accurately reflect their functioning. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test is a widely used brief cognitive screening tool that has high sensitivity for detecting mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) in OAs. Here we demonstrate the potential effect of hearing‐dependent subtests on the MoCA's sensitivity and specificity as a screening tool.…”

“…We examined the potential contribution of hearing‐dependent subtests to the sensitivity and specificity of the MoCA in a sample of OAs with MCI, AD, and controls for whom cognitive status was independently verified without using the MoCA. We used the original MoCA validation study data to recalculate MoCA scores with the omission of subtests that depend on hearing the test stimuli. We developed receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves to determine the best cutoff values for each procedure to categorize patients as having MCI or AD.…”

“…Author Contributions: Faisal Al‐Yawer contributed to the analysis and interpretation of data, and writing/preparation of the manuscript. Natalie Phillips is an author on the original study from which data are used and contributed to the current study concept and design, analysis and interpretation of the data, and preparation of the manuscript. M. Kathleen Pichora‐Fuller contributed to the interpretation of data and preparation of the manuscript.…”

“…SETTING: We used the original MoCA validation study data. 4 PARTICIPANTS: Groups consisted of healthy controls (N = 90), subjects with MCI (N = 94), and subjects with mild AD (N = 93). MEASUREMENTS: We assessed sensitivity and specificity using absolute and proportional cutoff score adjustments.…”