Association Between Hearing Impairment and Self‐Reported Difficulty in Physical Functioning

Abstract

Objectives To determine whether hearing impairment, defined using objective audiometry, is associated with multiple categories of self-reported physical functioning in a cross-sectional, nationally representative sample of older adults. Design Multivariate secondary analysis of cross-sectional data. Setting The 2005–06 and 2009–10 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Participants Adults aged 70 and older who completed audiometric testing (N=1,669). Measurements Hearing was measured using pure-tone audiometry. Physical functioning was assessed using a structured interview. Results In a model adjusted for age and demographic and cardiovascular risk factors, greater hearing impairment (per 25 dB hearing level (HL)) was associated with greater odds of physical disability in activities of daily living (odds ratio (OR)=1.4, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.1–1.9), instrumental activities of daily living (OR=1.6, 95% CI=1.2–2.2), leisure and social activities (OR=1.5, 95% CI=1.1–2.0), lower extremity mobility (OR=1.4, 95% CI=1.1–1.7), general physical activities (OR=1.3, 95% CI=1.1–1.6), work limitation (OR=1.4, 95% CI=1.0–1.9), walking limitation (OR=1.6, 95% CI=1.3–2.0), and limitation due to memory or confusion (OR=1.4, 95% CI=1.1–1.8). Hearing impairment was not associated with limitations in amount or type of work done (OR=1.2, 95% CI=1.0–1.6). Conclusion Hearing impairment in older adults is independently associated with greater disability and limitations in multiple self-reported categories of physical functioning.

Associations between the neighbourhood environment characteristics and physical activity in older adults with specific types of chronic conditions: the ALECS cross-sectional study

“…The negative effects of hearing impairment associated memory and confusion [22] on PA are likely exacerbated by challenging and unsafe neighbourhood environments. Observed negative PA associations with crime and traffic and road hazards and positive association with pedestrian infrastructure in this group appear to support this contention.…”

Association of Hearing Impairment and Anxiety in Older Adults

“…Individuals with hearing loss have been shown to have poorer health outcomes, including decreased cognitive function (Lin, Ferrucci, et al, 2011; Lin et al, 2013; Valentijn et al, 2005), quality of life (Ciorba, Bianchini, Pelucchi, & Pastore, 2012; Wallhagen, Strawbridge, Shema, Kurata, & Kaplan, 2001), and mobility (Chen, Genther, Betz, & Lin, 2014). …”

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“…Indeed, poor hearing has been associated with, for example, poorer postural balance (Agrawal, Carey, Della Santina, Schubert, & Minor, 2009;Viljanen, Kaprio, Pyykkö, Sorri, Pajala, et al, 2009), poorer lower limb performance (Chen et al, 2015;, slower walking speed (L. Li, Simonsick, Ferrucci, & Lin, 2013;Viljanen, Kaprio, Pyykkö, Sorri, Koskenvuo, et al, 2009) and perceived walking difficulties (Chen, Genther, Betz, & Lin, 2014;Viljanen, Kaprio, Pyykkö, Sorri, Koskenvuo, et al, 2009). Impaired hearing also predicts the onset of new walking difficulties and falls (Lin & Ferrucci, 2012;Viljanen, Kaprio, Pyykkö, Sorri, Koskenvuo, et al, 2009;Viljanen, Kaprio, Pyykkö, Sorri, Pajala, et al, 2009).…”