Prevalence of visual and hearing impairment among older US workers: The National Health Interview Survey, 1997-2004

Background: Population aging and delayed job retirement are rapidly augmenting the number of older US workers, increasing the risk for workplace injuries due to their likely high prevalence of sensory impairment. The present study evaluated the proportion of older (>65 years of age) US workers reporting vision and/or hearing impairment by occupational groups.

Methods: Analyses of self-reported visual impairment (VI), hearing impairment (HI), either VI or HI, and concurrent impairment (HI+VI) by occupation were conducted on 5,590 older workers representing approximately 3.9 million older US workers in the 1997-2004 nationally representative National Health Interview Survey.

Results: The majority of workers reported their race as White (86.5%) with approximately equal proportions of females and males. Nearly half of these workers reported having more than a high school education (46.8%). The overall prevalence rates of HI were approximately three times those of VI (33.4 % vs. 10.2%, respectively). The prevalence of VI+HI and either impairment was 5.2% and 38.4%, respectively. Relative to all workers Farm operators and managers had significantly higher prevalence rates of sensory impairment [HI (53.9%), either HI or VI (57.3%), and concurrent VI+HI (12.1%)]. Other groups with significantly higher prevalence of sensory impairment compared to all workers included: Mechanics and repairers [HI (46.6%), either HI or VI (53.1%)] and Motor vehicle operators [HI (36.4%), either HI or VI (45.7%)].

Conclusion: Given the greater risk for injuries among the sensory impaired and the high prevalence of sensory impairment among older workers, workplace screening and accommodations for older workers are warranted.