• Component Description
• Eligible Sample
• Interview Setting and Mode of Administration
• Quality Assurance & Quality Control
• Data Processing and Editing
• Analytic Notes
• Codebook
  • SEQN - Respondent sequence number
  • AUQ130 - General condition of hearing
  • AUQ140 - When was hearing last tested
  • AUQ150 - Ever worn a hearing aid
  • AUQ160 - Now wearing a hearing aid
  • AUQ170 - Worn hearing aid in past 12 months
  • AUQ180 - How often wear hearing aid in past year
  • AUQ190 - Ears ringing, roaring, buzzing past year
  • AUQ200 - How often ringing, roaring, buzzing
  • AUQ210 - Firearm noise exposure outside work
  • AUQ220 - Use ear protection around firearm noise
  • AUQ230 - Loud noise exposure outside work
  • AUQ240 - Use ear protection around loud noise

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

2003-2004 Data Documentation, Codebook, and Frequencies

Audiometry (AUQ_C)

Data File: AUQ_C.xpt

First Published: November 2005

Last Revised: NA

Component Description

The Audiometry section (variable name prefix AUQ) provides interview data on self-reported hearing status, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), hearing screening history, the use of assistive devices for hearing, and risk factors for hearing loss.

Topics included in this section are:

• self-assessed hearing status;
• how recently hearing tests were performed, if ever;
• hearing aid use: ever used; current use, 12-month period prevalence; and the habitual frequency of hearing aid use;
• 12-month period prevalence of tinnitus; frequency of symptoms;
• exposure history for non-occupational loud noise from firearms, power tools or loud music; and
• whether hearing protection was used.

Eligible Sample

All survey participants aged 1 year and older were eligible for the initial question (AUQ010) relating to self-reported hearing capability/deficits. Survey respondents 20 years of age and older were asked further detailed questions about hearing and noise exposure.

Interview Setting and Mode of Administration

A trained household interviewer administrated these questions to the survey participant during the household interview. The information was recorded using a computer-assisted personal interview (CAPI) system. Some of the questions in the VIQ section required the use of printed hand cards. When necessary, the household interviewers read the hand card selections to the respondent.

Quality Assurance & Quality Control

The Audiometry questionnaire data was systematically reviewed for logical, processing, and data input errors on a periodic basis during the process of data collection.

The computer CAPI system had built-in consistency checks, online information screens that provided the interviewers with information about the terms used in the questionnaires, and hard and soft edit checks to reduce the number of keying entry errors. All of the interviews were reviewed by the NHANES field office staff for accuracy and completeness.

Data Processing and Editing

The 2001–2002 Audiometry Questionnaire data was verified against the main data file prior to public release.

Analytic Notes

Audiologic data analysis is a complex endeavor requiring knowledge of the specialty content area for valid results to be obtained. If an analyst does not have professional experience in this area, it is recommended that audiologic consultation be obtained to help formulate and review the results of the analysis.

Full sample interview weights should be employed if statistical analysis involves only NHANES questionnaire data. Although these data were collected as a part of the household questionnaire, if they are merged with NHANES MEC data, MEC examination sample weights should be used for the analysis. Specifically, if AUQ data is merged with NHANES Audiometry examination data, then the Audiometry examination subsample weights should be used for analysis.

Previous National Health Interview Survey and NHANES III Audiometry questionnaires served as questionnaire sources.

Audiometry Examination data is found in the Audiometry Section of the NHANES 2003–2004 Examination Files (AUX). The Occupation Section of the SP Household Questionnaire (OCQ) has related questions regarding SP’s current and past occupational noise exposure.

Please refer to the Analytic Guidelines for further details on the use of sample weights and other analytic issues at https://wwwn.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/analyticguidelines.aspx

The AUQ data are publicly available at www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes.htm.

Codebook and Frequencies