This thesis aimed to compare self-reported and measured hearing loss by pure-tone audiometry and to determine what factors were associated with dietary intake, hearing loss and hearing-aid uptake and use in older people. This thesis analysed data from two large cohort studies- the Caerphilly Prospective Study and the Northern Ireland Cohort for the Longitudinal Study of Ageing. The main methods involved dietary pattern (DP) analysis, statistical analysis and both quantitative and qualitative analysis of interviews. This thesis found low but significant correlations between self-reported and audiometric measures of hearing loss. Poor dental health was significantly associated with reduced appetite. Diet quality was lower in males, younger older adults, those who were unmarried, widow(er)s, those with lower education and those with a higher BML In general, healthy DPs were associated with a decreased risk of chronic conditions and may be associated with a lower risk of hearing loss, although further work is required to confirm these findings. Hearing loss was significantly associated with a greater risk of depression and loneliness. Being older, having more severe hearing loss and owning a hearing-aid for a longer period of time were associated with greater hearing-aid uptake and use. Qualitative analysis revealed three main themes; factors affecting hearing-aid use. attitudes towards hearing-aids and audiology service. Self-reported measures of hearing loss were found to be acceptable measures of hearing loss, but only when audiological assessment is not feasible. A wide range of factors can adversely affect dietary intake in older people. Further work is necessary to determine the effect of dietary assessment method on DP analysis and the effect of examining a priori and a posteriori methods on observed associations with morbidity risk. More information, follow-up support and scheduled reviews are essential to increase hearing-aid uptake and use in older people.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:726350 |
| Date | January 2017 |
| Creators | Gallagher, Nicola Emma |
| Publisher | Queen's University Belfast |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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