Background
The geriatric population in India accounts for 7.7% of the total population. This will rise to 10.4% by 2020 making 142 million people 60 years and above. Otorhinolaryngological problems interfere with the social interaction of some geriatric patients, which can worsen coexistent health problems. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of otorhinolaryngological disorders in geriatric population and their relationship with sociodemographic factors in a rural tertiary care hospital in India.

Method 
A retrospective hospital record- based study using the medical records of 1270 patients (784 males, 486 females) aged 60 years and above attending the Out Patients Department (OPD) of Otorhinolaryngology of Pravara Rural Hospital, Loni, Maharashtra, India during the calendar year 2009.

Results
Presbycusis was the most common otological problem (53.9%). Other disorders of the otological group (10.2%) included presbyastasis, otitis and tinnitus. Vocal cord problems formed the second most common (21.8%) group of problems in otorhinolaryngology. Pharyngoesophageal complaints were diagnosed in 9.0%. Nasal disorders including sinusitis were evident in a smaller group (5%).  Otorhinolaryngological diseases were found to be more common among males (61.7%), people with lower socioeconomic status (75%), illiterates (65%), landless labourers (65%) and the age group (65-69 years).

Conclusion
This study suggests that hearing loss is the most common geriatric otorhinolaryngological problem. General practitioners should be able to recognize otorhinolaryngological problems in geriatrics and possess adequate skills to deal with them. Geriatric health problems are likely to gain public health importance because of the rising population in this age group.