Codes and Frequencies
Description
HRLOUDNOIS indicates whether the person can hear loud noises. Please see Comparability and Universe tabs for complete information on changes to the universe between samples.
In 1994 and 1995, this variable is part of the Disability Supplement (NHIS-D) that collects information on disability. NHIS-D included two household interviews: in Phase I all members of sample families were screened for any indication of disability; in Phase II persons with any indication of disability were followed-up for additional information. Phase I includes sensory, communication, and mobility problems; health conditions; activities of daily living and independent activities of daily living; functional limitations; mental health; services and benefits; special health needs of children; early child development; education; relationship to respondent; and perceived disability. Phase II includes four Disability Followback Survey (DFS) questionnaires: one for children, one for adults, one for elderly persons (69 years of age and over) without any indication of disability (also called the Supplement on Aging or SOA; only in 1994), and one for persons with a history of polio.
Other hearing related variables are included both in 1971 and 1977 as well as other years (1997-2009).
These include:
For 1971 or 1977:
- Can hear and understand someone who whispers from across a quiet room (HRWHISP, 1971, 1977, 1990-1991, 1999, 2007)
- Can hear and understand someone who shouts from across a quiet room (HRSHOUT 1971, 1977, 1990-1991, 1999, 2007)
- Can hear and understand if someone speaks loudly in the "better ear" from across a quiet room (HRSPEAK, 1971, 1977, 1990-1991, 1999, 2007)
- Can hear and understand someone speaks in a normal voice from across a quiet room (HRTALK, 1971, 1977, 1990-1991, 1999, 2007)
- Can tell the sound of speech from other sounds and noises (HRTELLNOIS, 1971, 1977)
- Can tell speech from other sounds (HRTELLSPECH, 1971, 1977)
- Gallaudet hearing scale score (HRGALSCAL, 1971, 1977, 1990-1991)
For a broader description and list of hearing related variables from more recent years, see HEARING, quality of hearing (HEARING, 1997-2009). Other variables of interest may include:
- Referred to an audiologist or "hearing aid dispenser", past 5 years (HRAUD, 2007 only)
- Referred to hearing specialist, past 5 years (HRSPEC, 2007 only)
- Cause of hearing loss (HRCAUSE1 2007, 2003)
- Frustrated with hearing loss (HRFRUST, 2007 )
- Frequency hearing causes worry about safety (HRSAFETY, 2007)
- Told of hearing problem by friends or relatives (HRFAM, 2007)
- Age at beginning of adult's hearing loss (HEARDAAGE, 1999, 2002, 2007)
- Trouble with hearing in presence of background noise (HRBACK, 2007 only)
- Can tell one kind of speech from another (HRBACK, 2007 only)
Comparability
Due to changes in universe, comparability between pre-1994 and 1994-1995 samples is limited.
The universe for this question was different for 1971 than from 1977, but the substantive nature of this difference is not large. For 1971, it was asked of persons age 3 and over who are deaf in one or both ears, or have other trouble hearing with one or both ears, or use a hearing aid. In 1977, it was asked of persons age 3+ with hearing problems who, without a hearing aid, cannot hear a whisper, a normal voice, or a shout across a room, loud speaking directly into their ear and cannot tell can't usually tell the sound of speech from other sounds and noises, and can't usually tell one kind of noise from another. For persons who wear a hearing aid, the questions in these years specifically ask whether the person can hear loud noises without a hearing aid.
In 1994 and 1995, this question was asked of persons in the NHIS-D Phase I sample who do not wear a hearing aid but have a condition causing trouble hearing what is said in normal conversation, and persons who do wear a hearing aid but have trouble hearing even when wearing their hearing aid. HRLOUDNOIS indicates if the person was able to hear loud noises. The question does not specify if the respondent should consider whether the person is wearing a hearing aid.
Universe
- 1971: Persons age 3+ who are deaf in one or both ears, or have other trouble hearing with one or both ears, or use a hearing aid.
- 1977: Persons age 3+ with hearing problems who cannot hear and understand whispers, a normal voice, shouts, loud speaking in his/her better ear, can't usually tell the sound of speech from other sounds and noises, and can't usually tell one kind of noise from another.
- 1994-1995: Persons in the NHIS-D Phase I sample who had trouble hearing what is said in normal conversation even when wearing a hearing aid.
Availability
- 1971, 1977, 1994-1995
