Table of Contents

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 hearing aids and assistive devices for hearing, and risk factors for hearing loss.

Topics included in this section are:

Eligible Sample

All survey participants aged 1 year and older were eligible for the initial question (AUQ131) relating to self-reported hearing capability/deficits. Survey respondents 12-19 years and 70 years of age and older were asked further detailed questions about hearing and noise exposure.

Interview Setting and Mode of Administration

These questions were asked before the physical examination, in the home, using the Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing-CAPI (interviewer administered) system.

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 2005–2006 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 household interview weights should be employed if statistical analysis involves only the NHANES 2005-2006 AUQ 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.

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 2005–2006 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 NHANES Analytic Guidelines for further details on the use of sample weights and other analytic issues. The Analytic Guidelines are available on the NHANES website.

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

AUQ131 - General condition of hearing

Variable Name:
AUQ131
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)? 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 Skip to Item
1 Excellent 5573 5573
2 Good 2953 8526
3 A little trouble 795 9321
4 Moderate hearing trouble 315 9636
5 A lot of trouble 159 9795
6 Deaf 22 9817
7 Refused 0 9817
9 Don't know 5 9822
. Missing 0 9822

AUQ135 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
AUQ135
English Instructions:
IF AGE 12-19, CONTINUE; ELSE IF AGE 70+, GO TO AUQ141; OTHERWISE, GO TO END OF SECTION.
Target:
Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS

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?
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 19 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 603 603
2 No 1664 2267
7 Refused 0 2267
9 Don't know 20 2287
. Missing 7535 9822

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 12 YEARS - 19 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 175 175
2 No 2100 2275
7 Refused 0 2275
9 Don't know 12 2287
. Missing 7535 9822

AUQ141 - Last time had hearing tested

Variable Name:
AUQ141
SAS Label:
Last time had hearing tested
English Text:
When was the last time {you had/SP had} {your/his/her} hearing tested?
English Instructions:
READ CATEGORIES IF NECESSARY
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Less than a year ago 917 917
2 1 year to 4 years ago 1241 2158
3 5 to 9 years ago 313 2471
4 Ten or more years ago 249 2720
5 Never 364 3084
7 Refused 0 3084
9 Don't know 85 3169
. Missing 6653 9822

AUQ150 - Ever worn a hearing aid

Variable Name:
AUQ150
SAS Label:
Ever worn a hearing aid
English Text:
{Have you/Has SP} ever worn a hearing aid?
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 190 190
2 No 2979 3169 AUQ185
7 Refused 0 3169 AUQ185
9 Don't know 0 3169 AUQ185
. Missing 6653 9822

AUQ171 - Worn hearing aid 5 hours a week?

Variable Name:
AUQ171
SAS Label:
Worn hearing aid 5 hours a week?
English Text:
In the past 12 months, {have you/has SP} worn a hearing aid at least 5 hours a week?
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 122 122
2 No 68 190
7 Refused 0 190
9 Don't know 0 190
. Missing 9632 9822

AUQ185 - Ever used assistive listening devices?

Variable Name:
AUQ185
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, or amplified telephone (or relay services)?
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 90 90
2 No 3076 3166
7 Refused 0 3166
9 Don't know 3 3169
. Missing 6653 9822

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 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 365 365
2 No 2794 3159 AUQ211
7 Refused 0 3159 AUQ211
9 Don't know 10 3169 AUQ211
. Missing 6653 9822

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 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Less than three months 90 90
2 Three months to a year 51 141
3 1 to 4 years 79 220
4 5 to 9 years 39 259
5 Ten or more years 99 358
7 Refused 0 358
9 Don't know 7 365
. Missing 9457 9822

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 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 70 70
2 No 293 363
7 Refused 0 363
9 Don't know 2 365
. Missing 9457 9822

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 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 121 121
2 No 244 365
7 Refused 0 365
9 Don't know 0 365
. Missing 9457 9822

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 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 No problem 116 116
2 A small problem 169 285
3 A moderate problem 58 343
4 A big problem 15 358
5 A very big problem 7 365
7 Refused 0 365
9 Don't know 0 365
. Missing 9457 9822

AUQ211 - Ever used firearms?

Variable Name:
AUQ211
SAS Label:
Ever used firearms?
English Text:
{Have you/Has SP} ever used firearms for target shooting, hunting, or for any other purposes?
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 729 729
2 No 2439 3168
7 Refused 1 3169
9 Don't know 0 3169
. Missing 6653 9822

AUQ290 - Ever had job exposure to loud noise?

Variable Name:
AUQ290
SAS Label:
Ever had job exposure to loud noise?
English Text:
{Have you/Has SP} ever had a job where {you were/s/he was} exposed to loud noise for 5 or more hours a week? By loud noise I mean noise so loud that {you/s/he} had to speak in a raised voice to be heard.
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 505 505
2 No 2663 3168
7 Refused 0 3168
9 Don't know 1 3169
. Missing 6653 9822

AUQ231 - Loud noise exposure for 5 hours?

Variable Name:
AUQ231
SAS Label:
Loud noise exposure for 5 hours?
English Text:
Outside of a job, {have you/has SP} ever been exposed to steady loud noise or music for 5 or more hours a week? This is noise so loud that {you have/s/he has} to raise {your/his/her} voice to be heard. Examples are noise from power tools, lawn mowers, farm machinery, cars, trucks, motorcycles, or loud music.
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 624 624
2 No 2542 3166
7 Refused 0 3166
9 Don't know 3 3169
. Missing 6653 9822

AUQ241 - How often wear hearing protection?

Variable Name:
AUQ241
SAS Label:
How often wear hearing protection?
English Text:
How often {do you/does SP} wear hearing protection devices (ear plugs, ear muffs) when exposed to loud sounds or noise? (Include both job and off work exposures.)
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Most of the time 169 169
2 Sometimes 386 555
3 Rarely/seldom 205 760
4 Never 2404 3164
7 Refused 0 3164
9 Don't know 5 3169
. Missing 6653 9822