Objective:Determining the prevalence of hearing loss and correlated factors in clients referring to audiology clinic of Buali hospital.
Method and Material: This cross-sectional analytic-descriptive survery was carried out on six thousand and twenty ears of 3010 clients (1651 ,ae amd 1359 female) in Audiology clinic of Buali hospital , during Sept 2000 to Sept 2001.
Results: Hearing loss is the most common reason for referring the clients (20.5%). 1319 ears (21.9%) Showed sensorineural hearing impairment and conductive and mixed hearing loss are observed in 1059 (17.6%) and 234 (3.9%) ears, respectedly. Hearing loss degree most cases is mild (14%) in both ears. There is no significant difference between male and female hearing threshold means (p>0.05) ‘ but a significant difference between hearing thresholds is observed in terms of age (p<0.05). Audiogram configuration in most cases is flat (55.1%). Otoscopic examination reveals abnormal condition in 2333 ears (38.8%) . 37.2% of the studied cases have abnormal tympanogram mostly type B (15.9%). 2.2% of the clients wear hearing aid that mostly have B.T.E ones (1.5%). 6.2% of the clients , depends on their hearing impairment type and degree need rehabilitation services.
Conclusion: The results are Valid only in the context of this study and it&aposs generaliztion needs further researches.

Background and Aim: Hearing loss is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions affecting the elderly. The impacts of hearing loss are depression, social isolation, and functional disability, particularly for those who have not yet been evaluated or treated for hearing loss. The aim of this study was audiologic screening and assessing candidacy  for hearing aid in the elderly people.
Materials and Methods: This analytic-cross sectional study was performed on 52 older adults aged from 51 to 97. Subjects were evaluated according to ASHA guidelines for audiologic screening in adults (1997). Using HHIE-S as hearing disability screening instrument, the need for hearing aid use was evaluated.
Results: About 86 percent of subjects had some degree of hearing loss. There were significant correlation between PTA(0.5, 1, 2) KHz>26 and HHIE-S>10. According to these two factors 21.2 percent of subjects needed to use hearing aid while 18 percent of this group had hearing aids.
Conclusion: There is high prevalence of hearing loss among older adults, thus it&aposs necessary to evaluate the need for hearing aid in this rapidly growing population. Among different factors affecting hearing aid candidacy the most correlated were PTA(0.5, 1, 2)KHz>26 and HHIE-S>10. Therefore according to this study by combination of these two evaluation of hearing aid candidacy would be more appropriate.