[Hearing loss in leprosarium: Current status].

Due to aging and aftereffects of leprosy, many of them are now struggling with hearing loss and visual impairment. The purpose of this study was to investigate and analyze the present situation of hearing level and hearing aid among residents in leprosy sanatorium. We have been carrying out hearing screening for the all ex-patients in three national sanatoriums, Nagashima-Aisein (since 2011), Oku-Komyo-en (since 2012), and Matsuoka-Hoyo-en (since 2014). The results of audiometry and questionnaire in 2014 were analyzed. Eligible persons who took pure tone audiometry were 198, and their age ranged between 59 and 99, mean 82.95. Their average hearing level of better hearing ear was 39.3 ± 17.2 dB. Since this result is not different from previous reports, which mentioned about average hearing level in elder persons, history of leprosy may not affect with hearing. According to the questionnaire, not only hearing level but also the awareness of hearing disability may lead to need for hearing aid. Also, it was considered that each communicative condition in sanatorium could have effect on self-assessment of hearing disability.