Objective: To highlight the pattern of ear diseases among the elderly to provide an objective basis to plan cost effective healthcare for the geriatric population in Pakistan.
Methodology: This retrospective study was done in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Niazi Welfare Foundation Teaching Hospital, Sargodha from January 2022 to December 2023. Sample of 644 patients, ≥60 years, who presented with ear diseases, were enrolled. They were categorized into four groups based on age. The history, comprehensive clinical examination findings and the record of relevant investigations were evaluated and definitive diagnosis was confirmed. The SPSS version 23 was used for statistical analysis.
Results: Study comprised majority (61.6%) males. The predominant age group was 60-69 years and senile hearing loss was found to be the highly prevalent (29.2%) disease among all age groups, followed by impacted cerumen (24.4%) and chronic suppurative otitis media (17.7%).
Conclusion: The highest number of cases belonged to the age group 60-69 years and senile hearing loss was highly prevalent. Primary care physicians should be trained to do otoscopic examination, as an essential component of basic assessment of elderly patients, for the timely referral to specialist clinics, thus improvise the chances of better care of aged ears.
Key words: Geriatric, otitis externa, otitis media, presbycusis.
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