ORCID Profile
0000-0002-0582-6851
Current Organisation
King's College London
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Publisher: BMJ
Date: 12-2020
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2020-042571
Abstract: Research using the UK Biobank data has shown ethnic inequalities in hearing health however, the hearing test used may exhibit a disadvantage for non-native language speakers. To validate the results of the UK Biobank hearing test (Digit Triplet Test, DTT) against self-reported measures of hearing in the dataset and create classifications of hearing health. To observe if language proficiency and migration age have the same effect on hearing health classification as on the DTT in isolation. Our hypothesis is that language proficiency acts differently on the DTT, demonstrating that the DTT is biased for non-native speakers of English. Latent classes representing profiles of hearing health were identified from the available hearing measures. Factors associated with class membership were tested using multinomial logistic regression models. Ethnicity was defined as (1) White, native English-speaking, (2) ethnic minority, arrived in the UK aged or (3) ethnic minority, arrived aged . The UK Biobank participants with valid hearing test results and associated covariates (N=151 268). DTT score, self-reported hearing difficulty, self-reported hearing difficulty in noise and hearing aid use. Three classes of hearing health were found: ‘normal’, ‘generally poor’ and ‘only subjectively poor’. In a model adjusting for known confounders of hearing loss, a poor or insufficient hearing test result was less likely for those with better language (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.65 to 0.74) or numerical ability (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.67 to 0.75) but more likely for those having migrated aged (OR 3.85, 95% CI 3.64 to 4.07). The DTT showed evidence of bias, having greater dependence on language ability and migration age than other hearing indicators. Designers of future surveys and hearing screening applications may wish to consider the limitations of speech-in-noise tests in evaluating hearing acuity for populations that include non-native speakers.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 15-12-2021
DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2021.2009131
Abstract: To establish whether ethnic inequalities exist in levels of self-reported hearing difficulty and hearing aid use among middle-aged adults. Cross-sectional data from the UK Biobank resource. 164,460 participants aged 40-69 who answered hearing questions at an assessment centre in England or Wales. After taking into account objectively assessed hearing performance and a corresponding correction for bias in non-native English speakers, as well as a range of correlates including demographic, socioeconomic, and health factors, there were lower levels of hearing aid use for people from Black African (OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.17-0.77), Black Caribbean (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.22-0.65) and Indian (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.41-0.86) ethnic groups, compared to the White British or Irish group. Men from most ethnic minority groups and women from Black African, Black Caribbean and Indian groups were less likely to report hearing difficulty than their White British or Irish counterparts. For equivalent levels of hearing loss, the use of hearing aids is lower among ethnic minority groups. Inequalities are partly due to lower levels of self-reported hearing difficulty among minority groups. However, even when self-reported hearing difficulty is considered, hearing aid use remains lower among many ethnic minority groups.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 31-07-2023
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
No related grants have been discovered for Harry Taylor.