Otological disorders in geriatric population: A study

The present study was conducted with the aim to highlight the pattern of otological diseases in the elderly for careful cost-effective health care plans and to make the ageing period more fulfilling and tolerable to the elderly. A total of 543 patients visiting the ENT OPD ESIC hospital having ear complaints were included in this study to find out the different otological disorders present amongst the geriatric patients. It was found that the disease was more prevalent in the 60–64 years age group and in males compared to females. Presbycusis was the most common otological disorder (48.8%) followed by impacted wax (25.59%), tinnitus (12.89%), otomycosis (6.99%), CSOM (4.60%), vertigo (0.92%) and foreign body (0.18%). Based on the findings of this study it may be suggested that Prebycausis is the most common geriatric otological problem. Geriatric health problems are likely to gain public health importance because of the rising population in this age group.