Table of Contents

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, AUQ138, AUQ146, AUQ148, and AUQ152 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 Interview (CAPI) system.
The Interviewer Procedure Manuals and Survey Questionnaires can be found on the NHANES website https://wwwn.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhanes/2015-2016/questionnaires/AUQ_I.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 2015–2016 AUQ 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 2015-2016 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.

When combining AUQ data from different survey cycles, please note that there are some modifications in questions between survey cycles.

Changes since the 2011-2012 data
Label 2011-2012 2015-2016
Ever had a job exposure to loud noise? AUQ330 AUQ331
How long exposed to very loud noise? AUQ360 AUQ361
Past year: worn hearing protection? AUQ380 AUQ381

Data on hearing aid use and cochlear implant status (variable names AUQ146, AUD148, AUQ152) are available for adults ages 20 years and older in the 2015-2016 survey, rather than only for adults ages 20-69 years in the 2011-2012 survey.

Previous National Health Interview Survey Audiometry questionnaires served as questionnaire sources (NHIS,2007; Ries,1982). Audiometry, Typanometry, Wideband Absorbance, and Acoustic Reflex examination data for NHANES participants could be found in the Audiometry Section of the NHANES 2015–2016 Examination Files.

Please refer to the NHANES Analytic Guidelines and the on-line NHANES Tutorial for further details on the use of sample weights and other analytic issues.

References

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 Skip to Item
1 Excellent 4842 4842
2 Good 3308 8150
3 A little trouble 890 9040
4 Moderate hearing trouble 352 9392
5 A lot of trouble 163 9555
6 Deaf 18 9573
77 Refused 0 9573
99 Don't know 2 9575
. Missing 0 9575

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 2026 2026 AUQ100
2 No 731 2757
7 Refused 1 2758
9 Don't know 45 2803
. Missing 6772 9575

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 582 582 AUQ100
2 No 190 772
7 Refused 0 772
9 Don't know 5 777
. Missing 8798 9575

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 151 151 AUQ100
2 No 41 192
7 Refused 0 192
9 Don't know 3 195
. Missing 9380 9575

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 Skip to Item
1 Yes 19 19
2 No 24 43
7 Refused 0 43
9 Don't know 1 44
. Missing 9531 9575

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 Skip to Item
1 Always 229 229
2 Usually 467 696
3 About half the time 738 1434
4 Seldom 1509 2943
5 Never 1819 4762
7 Refused 0 4762
9 Don't know 5 4767
. Missing 4808 9575

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 Skip to Item
1 Always 103 103
2 Usually 176 279
3 About half the time 290 569
4 Seldom 967 1536
5 Never 3230 4766
7 Refused 0 4766
9 Don't know 1 4767
. Missing 4808 9575

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 Skip to Item
1 Yes 1331 1331
2 No 4153 5484
7 Refused 1 5485
9 Don't know 234 5719
. Missing 3856 9575

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 Skip to Item
1 Yes 303 303
2 No 5370 5673
7 Refused 0 5673
9 Don't know 46 5719
. Missing 3856 9575

AUQ137 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
AUQ137
English Instructions:
BOX 3. CHECK ITEM AUQ137: IF SP AGE > 69, GO TO AUQ146. 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 Skip to Item
1 Less than a year ago 405 405
2 1 year to 4 years ago 657 1062
3 5 to 9 years ago 550 1612
4 Ten or more years ago 1400 3012
5 Never 1615 4627
7 Refused 0 4627
9 Don't know 140 4767
. Missing 4808 9575

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 - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 256 256
2 No 5461 5717 AUQ390
7 Refused 0 5717 AUQ390
9 Don't know 2 5719 AUQ390
. Missing 3856 9575

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 - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Hearing aid 252 252
2 Cochlear implant 3 255
3 Both hearing aid and cochlear implant 1 256
7 Refused 0 256 AUQ390
9 Don't know 0 256 AUQ390
. Missing 9319 9575

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 - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Always 94 94
2 Usually 37 131
3 About half the time 44 175
4 Seldom 41 216
5 Never 37 253
7 Refused 0 253
9 Don't know 0 253
. Missing 9322 9575

AUQ390 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
AUQ390
English Instructions:
BOX 4. CHECK ITEM AUQ390: IF SP AGE > 69, GO TO END OF SECTION. OTHERWISE, CONTINUE.
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 150 YEARS

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 Skip to Item
1 Yes 153 153
2 No 4614 4767
7 Refused 0 4767
9 Don't know 0 4767
. Missing 4808 9575

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 683 683
2 No 4083 4766 AUQ300
7 Refused 0 4766 AUQ300
9 Don't know 1 4767 AUQ300
. Missing 4808 9575

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 Skip to Item
1 Less than three months 102 102
2 Three months to a year 105 207
3 1 to 4 years 158 365
4 5 to 9 years 117 482
5 Ten or more years 195 677
7 Refused 0 677
9 Don't know 6 683
. Missing 8892 9575

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 Skip to Item
1 Almost always 203 203
2 At least once a day 93 296
3 At least once a week 110 406
4 At least once a month 121 527
5 Less frequently than once a month 154 681
7 Refused 0 681
9 Don't know 2 683
. Missing 8892 9575

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 Skip to Item
1 Yes 137 137
2 No 537 674
7 Refused 0 674
9 Don't know 9 683
. Missing 8892 9575

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 Skip to Item
1 Yes 303 303
2 No 379 682
7 Refused 0 682
9 Don't know 1 683
. Missing 8892 9575

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? Would you say...
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 69 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 No problem 148 148
2 A small problem 283 431
3 A moderate problem 173 604
4 A big problem 54 658
5 A very big problem 25 683
7 Refused 0 683
9 Don't know 0 683
. Missing 8892 9575

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 1786 1786
2 No 2976 4762 AUQ331
7 Refused 4 4766 AUQ331
9 Don't know 1 4767 AUQ331
. Missing 4808 9575

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 Skip to Item
1 1 to less than 100 rounds 814 814
2 100 to less than 1000 rounds 448 1262
3 1000 to less than 10,000 rounds 316 1578
4 10,000 to less than 50,000 rounds 119 1697
5 50,000 rounds or more 68 1765
7 Refused 1 1766
9 Don't know 20 1786
. Missing 7789 9575

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. INTERVIEWER: PROTECTIVE HEARING DEVICES INCLUDE PLUGS AND EARMUFFS.
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 69 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Always 669 669
2 Usually 180 849
3 About half the time 155 1004
4 Seldom 161 1165
5 Never 619 1784
7 Refused 0 1784
9 Don't know 2 1786
. Missing 7789 9575

AUQ331 - Ever had a job exposure to loud noise?

Variable Name:
AUQ331
SAS Label:
Ever had a job exposure to loud noise?
English Text:
These next questions are about noise exposure at work. First we are going to ask about loud noise. Loud means so loud that {you/s/he} must speak in a raised voice to be heard by someone three feet away when not using hearing protection. After that we will ask about 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} when not using hearing protection. {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 1553 1553
2 No 3150 4703 AUQ370
3 Never worked 62 4765 AUQ370
7 Refused 0 4765 AUQ370
9 Don't know 2 4767 AUQ370
. Missing 4808 9575

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 Skip to Item
1 Less than 3 months 103 103
2 3 to 11 months 196 299
3 1 to 2 years 272 571
4 3 to 4 years 192 763
5 5 to 9 years 274 1037
6 10 to 14 years 176 1213
7 15 or more years 338 1551
77 Refused 0 1551
99 Don't know 2 1553
. Missing 8022 9575

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 1009 1009
2 No 544 1553 AUQ370
7 Refused 0 1553 AUQ370
9 Don't know 0 1553 AUQ370
. Missing 8022 9575

AUQ361 - How long exposed to very loud noise?

Variable Name:
AUQ361
SAS Label:
How long exposed to very loud noise?
English Text:
Please give me the total number of moths 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 Skip to Item
1 Less than 3 months 52 52
2 3 to 11 months 125 177
3 1 to 2 years 174 351
4 3 to 4 years 144 495
5 5 to 9 years 179 674
6 10 to14 years 99 773
7 15 or more years 234 1007
8 Not exposed 1 1008
77 Refused 0 1008
99 Don't know 1 1009
. Missing 8566 9575

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 Skip to Item
1 Yes 666 666
2 No 4097 4763
7 Refused 0 4763
9 Don't know 4 4767
. Missing 4808 9575

AUQ381 - Past year: worn hearing protection?

Variable Name:
AUQ381
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 outside of work? {Do not include the noise from firearms we already talked about.}
English Instructions:
INTERVIEWER: PROTECTIVE HEARING DEVICES INCLUDE PLUGS AND MUFFS. HAND CARD AUQ2 CAPI INSTRUCTION: IF AUQ300 = 1/YES, DISPLAY 'Do not include the noise from firearms we already talked about.'
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 69 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Always 231 231
2 Usually 159 390
3 About half the time 119 509
4 Seldom 295 804
5 Never 2951 3755
6 No noise exposure past 12 months 1011 4766
77 Refused 0 4766
99 Don't know 1 4767
. Missing 4808 9575