• Sang-Yoon Han, Hee Won Seo, Seung Hwan Lee, and Jae Ho Chung.
• Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea.
• J. Korean Med. Sci. 2025 Jan 13; 40 (2): e3e3.

BackgroundHearing level reference values based on the results of recent audiometry have not been established for the general population of South Korea. This study aimed to evaluate the mean hearing levels of each age group and to measure the annual progression of hearing loss.MethodsWe used the database of the eighth and ninth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2020 to 2022, and included participants with normal tympanic membranes and without occupational noise exposure. Mean hearing levels were calculated by averaging hearing levels at 0.5 kHz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz, and 4 kHz. Hearing loss was defined as a hearing level exceeding 25 dB in the better ear, and severity of hearing loss was classified as moderate, moderately severe, severe, and profound, following the World Health Organization classification.ResultsHearing levels and the proportions of patients with hearing loss increased with age. Hearing levels were 9.11 ± 6.28 dB, 13.33 ± 7.85 dB, 19.90 ± 10.30 dB, and 31.95 ± 13.37 dB in those in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s, respectively, and the proportions of patients with hearing loss were 1.81%, 7.51%, 25.32%, and 63.94%, respectively. The annual increase in hearing level was 0.71 dB, and increases were greater at higher frequencies. Hearing loss was also worse in men.ConclusionThe present study provides reference values for normal hearing levels by age group, and indirectly reveals the progression of age-related hearing loss. Based on the results, physicians will be able to provide appropriate advice regarding hearing levels and the need for monitoring in the elderly.© 2025 The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences.

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