Hearing loss in Northerners is more likely than Southerners according to study

According to a recent report, hearing loss in Northerners is more likely to be an issue when compared to those living in Southern parts of England.

After a study of data from over 8,000 participants conducted by the University of Manchester, it was determined that based on the results there is a 13.5 percent greater likelihood of someone in their seventies having developed some kind of hearing impairment when compared to Southerners in the same age bracket.

When moving down to the 60s category, this remained a full 10 percent higher.

Northeast England came out worst in the rankings for disabling hearing loss for those aged 71-80, with 49.2 percent affected, followed up by Yorkshire at 46 percent and 43 percent for the northwest respectively.

Compare this with the southeast of England where the numbers sink to 35.7 percent, with 37.4 percent of Londoners affected. In the 61-70 age group, the northeast came out worst with 24.6 percent when compared to London’s 14.6 percent.

The results for 51-60 and the over 80s, however, demonstrated that there was little difference between the two ends of the country.

The first report in four decades

This is the first time in around forty years that such a study has been conducted, with the last one being collated from data originating from Southampton and Nottingham in the 1980s. Estimates of hearing loss prevalence up to now have been based upon this old data.

Why the discrepancy?

The authors of the study have acknowledged that further research is necessary to determine the starkness of the discrepancy, though it is possibly linked to lifestyle and socioeconomic factors.

The results from a previous study conducted by the same university found a link between high levels of hearing loss and increased deprivation, with manual occupations and industry being likely for prolonged exposure to noise. Alcohol misuse was also an issue in such areas.

Professor Evangelos Konotopantelis stated: “Where people live plays an important role in their health, as the location shapes several environmental risks, as well as many other health effects. Applying a single percentage of prevalence estimates for all regions means that the northern part of the country with a history of socioeconomic and health disparities may be left behind in its needs.”

What is Noise Induced Hearing Loss?

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a hearing impairment resulting from exposure to loud noise and often results from many years of unprotected exposure. Many people who suffer from NIHL also suffer from tinnitus which is a ringing or buzzing type sound heard in the ears or head and can be incredibly distressing and debilitating.

Exposure to noise at work is commonplace, especially amongst manufacturing and heavy industry sectors such as in steelworks, on construction sites, highway maintenance and factory work.

Further reading

For more information and answers regarding noise induced hearing loss, read our FAQ resource here.

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