PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between audiometric thresholds, self-perception of handicap, and time taken to seek treatment in patients treated at a public health care service. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed the records of 152 elderly and 48 adult patients with hearing impairment. The mean ISO audiometric thresholds (500 Hz to 4 kHz) and the mean high frequencies thresholds (2 to 6 kHz), the speech recognition thresholds, and the total, social and emotional scores from the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Adults (HHIA) and Elderly (HHIE) were compared with the time elapsed from the onset of hearing complaints and the treatment seeking. RESULTS: The mean time for seeking treatment was 7.6 years. No difference was found between adults and elderly for ISO and high frequency mean thresholds, HHIA/E scores, and time for treatment seeking. Weak but significant negative correlations were observed between auditory thresholds and time taken for treatment seeking. No relationship was found between the time taken for treatment seeking and the variables related to educational and socioeconomic levels and perception of handicap. CONCLUSION: Search for treatment seems to be influenced by auditory thresholds. Despite technological advances and changes in the access to information and treatment, the time taken for treatment seeking was similar to that reported 30 years ago.
Auditory threshold; Hearing loss; Hearing impaired persons; Questionnaires; Audiology
