National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

2011-2012 Data Documentation, Codebook, and Frequencies

Audiometry (AUQ_G)

Data File: AUQ_G.xpt

First Published: December 2013

Last Revised: NA

Component Description

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

Topics included in this section are:

• Self-assessed condition of hearing;
• The Gallaudet hearing scale for self-reported hearing loss;
• History of ear infections; ear tube placed for infection;
• How recently hearing tests were performed, if ever;
• Hearing aid use and cochlear implant status;
• Use of assistive listening devices;
• 12-month period prevalence of tinnitus: how long bothered by tinnitus, tinnitus present after loud sounds, bothered by tinnitus when falling asleep, self-assessed severity of tinnitus;
• History of exposure to firearms noise; occupational and/or non-occupational loud noise; and
• Data on hearing protection use.

Eligible Sample

All survey participants, ages 1 year and older, were eligible for the initial question (AUQ054) relating to self-reported hearing capability/deficits.

All the other questions in AUQ were administered only to adults ages 20-69 years, except for AUQ136 and AUQ138 which were also administered to older adults ages 70+ years.

Interview Setting and Mode of Administration

These questions were asked, in the home, by trained interviewers using the Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) system.
The Interviewer Procedure Manuals and Survey Questionnaires can be found on the NHANES website https://wwwn.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhanes/2011-2012/questionnaires/auq.pdf

Quality Assurance & Quality Control

The CAPI system is programmed with built-in consistency checks to reduce data entry errors. CAPI also uses online help screens to assist interviewers in defining key terms used in the questionnaire.

Data Processing and Editing

The 2011–2012 Audiometry Questionnaire data was verified against the main data file prior to public release. Frequency counts were checked, “skip” patterns were verified, and the reasonableness of question responses was reviewed.

Analytic Notes

Full sample NHANES 2011-2012 Interview weights should be used if statistical analysis only involves the NHANES questionnaire data. Although these data were collected as a part of the household questionnaire, if they are merged with MEC examination data (for example the Audiometry examination or laboratory data), exam sample weights should be used for analyses.

Previous National Health Interview Survey Audiometry questionnaires served as questionnaire sources (NHIS,2007; Ries,1982). Audiometry,Typanometry and Acoustic Reflex examination data for NHANES participants is found in the Audiometry Section of the NHANES 2011–2012 Examination Files.
Please refer to the NHANES Analytic Guidelines (https://wwwn.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/analyticguidelines.aspx) and the on-line NHANES Tutorial (https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/tutorials/)
for further details on the use of sample weights and other analytic issues.

References

National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Questionnaire - Sample Adult Conditions. 2007. Data collection items ACN.400_00.010- ACN.415_00.040. Available from: ftp://ftp.cdc.gov/pub/Health_Statistics/NCHS/Survey_Questionnaires/NHIS/2007/English/qadult.pdf
Ries, PW. Hearing Ability of Persons by Sociodemographic and Health Characteristics: United States.1982. (PHS) 82-1568. Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_10/sr10_140.pdf

Codebook and Frequencies

SEQN - Respondent sequence number

Variable Name:: SEQN
SAS Label:: Respondent sequence number
English Text:: Respondent sequence number.
Target:: Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS

AUQ054 - General condition of hearing

Variable Name:: AUQ054
SAS Label:: General condition of hearing
English Text:: These next questions are about {your/SP's} hearing. Which statement best describes {your/SP's} hearing (without a hearing aid or other listening devices)? Would you say {your/his/her} hearing is excellent, good, that {you have/s/he has} a little trouble, moderate trouble, a lot of trouble, or {are you/is s/he} deaf?
Target:: Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	Excellent	4244	4244
2	Good	3744	7988
3	A little trouble	869	8857
4	Moderate hearing trouble	306	9163
5	A lot of trouble	172	9335
6	Deaf	12	9347
77	Refused	1	9348
99	Don't know	15	9363
.	Missing	1	9364

AUQ055 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:: AUQ055
English Instructions:: BOX 1A. CHECK ITEM AUQ055: IF SP AGE >= 20, AND SP AGE <= 69 AND AUQ054 = 1, 7, 9, GO TO AUQ100; IF SP AGE >= 20, AND SP AGE <= 69 AND AUQ054 = 2, 3, 4, 5 OR 6, CONTINUE. IF SP AGE > 69, GO TO AUQ136. OTHERWISE, END OF SECTION.
Target:: Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS

AUQ060 - Hear a whisper from across a quiet room?

Variable Name:: AUQ060
SAS Label:: Hear a whisper from across a quiet room?
English Text:: These next questions refer to hearing without the use of a hearing aid or any other listening devices. If {you have/SP has} one ear that is better than the other, please answer the questions for the hearing in {your/SP's} better ear. Can {you/SP} usually hear and understand what a person says without seeing his or her face if that person whispers to {you/him/her} from across a quiet room?
Target:: Both males and females 20 YEARS - 69 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative	Skip to Item
1	Yes	2128	2128	AUQ100
2	No	745	2873
7	Refused	0	2873
9	Don't know	32	2905
.	Missing	6459	9364

AUQ070 - Hear normal voice across a quiet room?

Variable Name:: AUQ070
SAS Label:: Hear normal voice across a quiet room?
English Text:: Can {you/SP} usually hear and understand what a person says without seeing his or her face if that person talks in a normal voice to {you/him/her} from across a quiet room?
Target:: Both males and females 20 YEARS - 69 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative	Skip to Item
1	Yes	564	564	AUQ100
2	No	210	774
7	Refused	0	774
9	Don't know	3	777
.	Missing	8587	9364

AUQ080 - Hear a shout from across a quiet room?

Variable Name:: AUQ080
SAS Label:: Hear a shout from across a quiet room?
English Text:: Can {you/SP} usually hear and understand what a person says without seeing his or her face if that person shouts to {you/him/her} from across a quiet room?
Target:: Both males and females 20 YEARS - 69 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative	Skip to Item
1	Yes	159	159	AUQ100
2	No	53	212
7	Refused	0	212
9	Don't know	1	213
.	Missing	9151	9364

AUQ090 - Hear if spoken loudly to in better ear?

Variable Name:: AUQ090
SAS Label:: Hear if spoken loudly to in better ear?
English Text:: Can {you/SP} usually hear and understand what a person says without seeing his or her face if that person speaks loudly into {your/his/her} better ear?
English Instructions:: INTERVIEWER: IF THE INTERVIEWEE HEARS BETTER IN ONE EAR THAN THE OTHER, RECORD THE RESPONSE FOR SPEAKING LOUDLY INTO THE BETTER EAR.
Target:: Both males and females 20 YEARS - 69 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	Yes	29	29
2	No	25	54
7	Refused	0	54
9	Don't know	0	54
.	Missing	9310	9364

AUQ100 - Difficult follow conversation if noise

Variable Name:: AUQ100
SAS Label:: Difficult follow conversation if noise
English Text:: How often {do you/does SP} find it difficult to follow a conversation if there is background noise, for example, when other people are talking, TV or radio is on, or children are playing? Would you say...
English Instructions:: HAND CARD AUQ1
Target:: Both males and females 20 YEARS - 69 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	Always	173	173
2	Usually	356	529
3	About half the time	551	1080
4	Seldom	1145	2225
5	Never	2448	4673
7	Refused	0	4673
9	Don't know	2	4675
.	Missing	4689	9364

AUQ110 - Hearing cause frustration when talking?

Variable Name:: AUQ110
SAS Label:: Hearing cause frustration when talking?
English Text:: How often does {your/SP's} hearing cause {you/him/her}to feel frustrated when talking to members of {your/his/her} family or to friends? Would you say...
English Instructions:: HAND CARD AUQ1
Target:: Both males and females 20 YEARS - 69 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	Always	79	79
2	Usually	126	205
3	About half the time	261	466
4	Seldom	732	1198
5	Never	3475	4673
7	Refused	0	4673
9	Don't know	2	4675
.	Missing	4689	9364

AUQ136 - Ever had 3 or more ear infections?

Variable Name:: AUQ136
SAS Label:: Ever had 3 or more ear infections?
English Text:: {Have you/Has SP} ever had 3 or more ear infections? Please include ear infections {you/he/she} may have had when {you were/he was/she was} a child.
Target:: Both males and females 20 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	Yes	1124	1124
2	No	4259	5383
7	Refused	2	5385
9	Don't know	174	5559
.	Missing	3805	9364

AUQ138 - Ever had tube placed in ear?

Variable Name:: AUQ138
SAS Label:: Ever had tube placed in ear?
English Text:: {Have you/Has SP} ever had a tube placed in {your/his/her} ear to drain the fluid from {your/his/her} ear?
Target:: Both males and females 20 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	Yes	268	268
2	No	5252	5520
7	Refused	1	5521
9	Don't know	38	5559
.	Missing	3805	9364

AUQ137 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:: AUQ137
English Instructions:: BOX 3. CHECK ITEM AUQ137: IF SP AGE > 69, GO TO END OF SECTION. OTHERWISE, CONTINUE.
Target:: Both males and females 20 YEARS - 150 YEARS

AUQ144 - Last time hearing tested by specialist?

Variable Name:: AUQ144
SAS Label:: Last time hearing tested by specialist?
English Text:: A hearing test by a specialist is one that is done in a sound proof booth or room, or with headphones. Hearing specialists include audiologists, ear nose and throat doctors, and trained technicians or occupational nurses. When was the last time {you had/SP had} {your/his/her} hearing tested by a hearing specialist?
English Instructions:: READ CATEGORIES IF NECESSARY
Target:: Both males and females 20 YEARS - 69 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	Less than a year ago	369	369
2	1 year to 4 years ago	652	1021
3	5 to 9 years ago	547	1568
4	Ten or more years ago	1381	2949
5	Never	1607	4556
7	Refused	0	4556
9	Don't know	119	4675
.	Missing	4689	9364

AUQ146 - Ever worn hearing aid/cochlear implant?

Variable Name:: AUQ146
SAS Label:: Ever worn hearing aid/cochlear implant?
English Text:: {Have you/Has SP} ever worn a hearing aid or cochlear implant?
Target:: Both males and females 20 YEARS - 69 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative	Skip to Item
1	Yes	63	63
2	No	4612	4675	AUQ154
7	Refused	0	4675	AUQ154
9	Don't know	0	4675	AUQ154
.	Missing	4689	9364

AUD148 - Hearing aid or Cochlear implant?

Variable Name:: AUD148
SAS Label:: Hearing aid or Cochlear implant?
English Text:: Which was it?
English Instructions:: CODE ALL THAT APPLY CAPI INSTRUCTION: IF BOTH RESPONSE OPTIONS 1 AND 2 ARE SELECTED, GO TO AUQ152.
Target:: Both males and females 20 YEARS - 69 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative	Skip to Item
1	Hearing aid	61	61
2	Cochlear implant	2	63
3	Both hearing aid and cochlear implant	0	63
7	Refused	0	63	AUQ154
9	Don't know	0	63	AUQ154
.	Missing	9301	9364

AUQ152 - Past year how often worn hearing aid?

Variable Name:: AUQ152
SAS Label:: Past year how often worn hearing aid?
English Text:: In the past 12 months, how often {have you/has SP} worn a hearing aid?
English Instructions:: HAND CARD AUQ1
Target:: Both males and females 20 YEARS - 69 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	Always	17	17
2	Usually	6	23
3	About half the time	8	31
4	Seldom	11	42
5	Never	19	61
7	Refused	0	61
9	Don't know	0	61
.	Missing	9303	9364

AUQ154 - Ever used assistive listening devices?

Variable Name:: AUQ154
SAS Label:: Ever used assistive listening devices?
English Text:: {Have you/Has SP} ever used assistive listening devices (ALDs), such as FM systems, closed-captioned television, amplified telephone, relay services, or a sign-language interpreter?
Target:: Both males and females 20 YEARS - 69 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	Yes	72	72
2	No	4603	4675
7	Refused	0	4675
9	Don't know	0	4675
.	Missing	4689	9364

AUQ191 - Ears ringing, roaring, buzzing past year

Variable Name:: AUQ191
SAS Label:: Ears ringing, roaring, buzzing past year
English Text:: In the past 12 months, {have you/has SP} been bothered by ringing, roaring, or buzzing in {your/his/her} ears or head that lasts for 5 minutes or more?
Target:: Both males and females 20 YEARS - 69 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative	Skip to Item
1	Yes	684	684
2	No	3989	4673	AUQ300
7	Refused	0	4673	AUQ300
9	Don't know	2	4675	AUQ300
.	Missing	4689	9364

AUQ250 - How long bothered by ringing, roaring

Variable Name:: AUQ250
SAS Label:: How long bothered by ringing, roaring
English Text:: How long {have you/has SP} been bothered by this ringing, roaring, or buzzing in {your/his/her} ears or head?
English Instructions:: READ CATEGORIES IF NECESSARY
Target:: Both males and females 20 YEARS - 69 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	Less than three months	123	123
2	Three months to a year	98	221
3	1 to 4 years	177	398
4	5 to 9 years	90	488
5	Ten or more years	193	681
7	Refused	0	681
9	Don't know	3	684
.	Missing	8680	9364

AUQ255 - In past yr how often had ringing/roaring

Variable Name:: AUQ255
SAS Label:: In past yr how often had ringing/roaring
English Text:: In the past 12 months, how often {have you/has SP} had this ringing, roaring, or buzzing in {your/his/her} ears or head? Would you say...
Target:: Both males and females 20 YEARS - 69 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	Almost always	181	181
2	At least once a day	88	269
3	At least once a week	138	407
4	At least once a month	101	508
5	Less frequently than once a month	174	682
7	Refused	0	682
9	Don't know	2	684
.	Missing	8680	9364

AUQ260 - Bothered by ringing after loud sounds?

Variable Name:: AUQ260
SAS Label:: Bothered by ringing after loud sounds?
English Text:: {Are you/Is SP} bothered by ringing, roaring, or buzzing in {your/his/her} ears or head only after listening to loud sounds or loud music?
Target:: Both males and females 20 YEARS - 69 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	Yes	115	115
2	No	564	679
7	Refused	0	679
9	Don't know	5	684
.	Missing	8680	9364

AUQ270 - Bothered by ringing when going to sleep

Variable Name:: AUQ270
SAS Label:: Bothered by ringing when going to sleep
English Text:: {Are you/Is SP} bothered by ringing, roaring, or buzzing in {your/his/her} ears or head when going to sleep?
Target:: Both males and females 20 YEARS - 69 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	Yes	269	269
2	No	414	683
7	Refused	0	683
9	Don't know	1	684
.	Missing	8680	9364

AUQ280 - How much of a problem is ringing?

Variable Name:: AUQ280
SAS Label:: How much of a problem is ringing?
English Text:: How much of a problem is this ringing, roaring, or buzzing in {your/his/her} ears or head?
Target:: Both males and females 20 YEARS - 69 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	No problem	190	190
2	A small problem	285	475
3	A moderate problem	145	620
4	A big problem	41	661
5	A very big problem	23	684
7	Refused	0	684
9	Don't know	0	684
.	Missing	8680	9364

AUQ300 - Ever used firearms for any reason?

Variable Name:: AUQ300
SAS Label:: Ever used firearms for any reason?
English Text:: This next question is about {your/SP's} use of firearms that {you/he/she} may have used for target shooting, hunting, for {your/his/her} job or in military service. {Have you/Has SP} ever used firearms for any reason?
Target:: Both males and females 20 YEARS - 69 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative	Skip to Item
1	Yes	1613	1613
2	No	3061	4674	AUQ330
7	Refused	1	4675	AUQ330
9	Don't know	0	4675	AUQ330
.	Missing	4689	9364

AUQ310 - How many total rounds ever fired?

Variable Name:: AUQ310
SAS Label:: How many total rounds ever fired?
English Text:: How many total rounds {have you/has SP} ever fired?
English Instructions:: READ CATEGORIES IF NECESSARY INTERVIEWER: ONE ROUND EQUALS ONE SHOT. INCLUDE TARGET SHOOTING, HUNTING, YOUR JOB AND MILITARY SERVICE.
Target:: Both males and females 20 YEARS - 69 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	1 to less than 100 rounds	701	701
2	100 to less than 1000 rounds	423	1124
3	1000 to less than 10,000 rounds	291	1415
4	10,000 to less than 50,000 rounds	106	1521
5	50,000 rounds or more	66	1587
7	Refused	0	1587
9	Don't know	26	1613
.	Missing	7751	9364

AUQ320 - Wear hearing protection when shooting?

Variable Name:: AUQ320
SAS Label:: Wear hearing protection when shooting?
English Text:: How often {did you/did SP} wear hearing protection devices (ear plugs, ear muffs) when shooting firearms?
English Instructions:: HAND CARD AUQ1
Target:: Both males and females 20 YEARS - 69 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	Always	583	583
2	Usually	152	735
3	About half the time	123	858
4	Seldom	110	968
5	Never	642	1610
7	Refused	0	1610
9	Don't know	3	1613
.	Missing	7751	9364

AUQ330 - Ever had a job exposure to loud noise?

Variable Name:: AUQ330
SAS Label:: Ever had a job exposure to loud noise?
English Text:: These next questions are about noise exposure {you/SP} may have had at work. {Have you/Has SP} ever had a job, or combination of jobs where {you were/s/he was} exposed to loud sounds or noise for 4 or more hours a day, several days a week? Loud means so loud that {you/s/he} must speak in a raised voice to be heard.
Target:: Both males and females 20 YEARS - 69 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative	Skip to Item
1	Yes	1536	1536
2	No	3064	4600	AUQ370
3	Never worked	75	4675	AUQ370
7	Refused	0	4675	AUQ370
9	Don't know	0	4675	AUQ370
.	Missing	4689	9364

AUQ340 - How long exposed to loud noise at work?

Variable Name:: AUQ340
SAS Label:: How long exposed to loud noise at work?
English Text:: For how many months or years {have you/has SP} been exposed at work to loud sounds or noise for 4 or more hours a day, several days a week?
English Instructions:: READ CATEGORIES IF NECESSARY
Target:: Both males and females 20 YEARS - 69 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	Less than 3 months	84	84
2	3 to 11 months	184	268
3	1 to 2 years	251	519
4	3 to 4 years	190	709
5	5 to 9 years	262	971
6	10 to 14 years	180	1151
7	15 or more years	382	1533
77	Refused	0	1533
99	Don't know	3	1536
.	Missing	7828	9364

AUQ350 - Ever exposed to very loud noise at work

Variable Name:: AUQ350
SAS Label:: Ever exposed to very loud noise at work
English Text:: In {your/SP's} work {were you/was he/was she} exposed to very loud noise? Very loud noise is noise that is so loud {you have/he has/she has} to shout in order to be understood by someone standing 3 feet away from {you/him/her}.
Target:: Both males and females 20 YEARS - 69 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative	Skip to Item
1	Yes	981	981
2	No	554	1535	AUQ370
7	Refused	0	1535	AUQ370
9	Don't know	1	1536	AUQ370
.	Missing	7828	9364

AUQ360 - How long exposed to very loud noise?

Variable Name:: AUQ360
SAS Label:: How long exposed to very loud noise?
English Text:: This next question is about {your/SP's} work in jobs where there was very loud noise for 4 or more hours a day, several days a week. Please give me the total number of months or years for all jobs where this has happened.
English Instructions:: READ CATEGORIES IF NECESSARY
Target:: Both males and females 20 YEARS - 69 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	Less than 3 months	62	62
2	3 to 11 months	106	168
3	1 to 2 years	174	342
4	3 to 4 years	130	472
5	5 to 9 years	156	628
6	10 to14 years	107	735
7	15 or more years	235	970
8	Not exposed	10	980
77	Refused	0	980
99	Don't know	1	981
.	Missing	8383	9364

AUQ370 - Had off-work exposure to loud noise?

Variable Name:: AUQ370
SAS Label:: Had off-work exposure to loud noise?
English Text:: Outside of a job, {have you/has SP} ever been exposed to very loud noise or music for 10 or more hours a week? This is noise so loud that {you have/s/he has} to shout to be understood or heard 3 feet away. Examples are noise from power tools, lawn mowers, farm machinery, cars, trucks, motorcycles, motor boats or loud music.
Target:: Both males and females 20 YEARS - 69 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	Yes	546	546
2	No	4129	4675
7	Refused	0	4675
9	Don't know	0	4675
.	Missing	4689	9364

AUQ380 - Past year: worn hearing protection?

Variable Name:: AUQ380
SAS Label:: Past year: worn hearing protection?
English Text:: In the past 12 months, how often {did you/did SP} wear hearing protection devices (ear plugs, ear muffs) when exposed to very loud sounds or noise? Please include both on the job and off the job exposures.
English Instructions:: HAND CARD AUQ2
Target:: Both males and females 20 YEARS - 69 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	Always	439	439
2	Usually	205	644
3	About half the time	142	786
4	Seldom	224	1010
5	Never	2416	3426
6	No noise exposure past 12 months	1247	4673
77	Refused	2	4675
99	Don't know	0	4675
.	Missing	4689	9364

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