Hearing Loss, Hearing Aids, and Functional Status

Abstract

ImportanceHearing loss may contribute to poor functional status via cognitive impairment and social isolation. Hearing aids may play a protective role by attenuating these downstream outcomes. However, population-based evidence is lacking.ObjectiveTo examine the association of hearing loss and hearing aids with functional status.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis cross-sectional (2016-2017) and longitudinal (2016-2022) analysis of data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities cohort study included older, community-dwelling adults with complete data. Data were analyzed from June to December 2023.ExposuresThe better-hearing ear’s pure tone average (BPTA) at speech frequencies (0.5-4 kHz) was modeled categorically (no [BPTA ≤25 dB], mild [26-40 dB], and moderate or greater hearing loss [>40 dB]). Hearing aid use was self-reported.Main Outcomes and MeasuresDifficulties in activities of daily living (ADLs; eg, dressing and eating), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLS; eg, household chores and meal preparation), and heavier tasks (eg, walking a quarter of a mile) were self-reported at visit 6. The ability to perform usual activities, walk a half mile, walk up and down stairs, and do heavy housework without help were collected in follow-up surveys. Linear and logistic regression models were used that were adjusted for sociodemographic and health covariates.ResultsAmong 3142 participants (mean [SD] age, 79.3 [4.6] years; 1828 women [58.2%]), 1013 (32.2%) had no hearing loss, 1220 (38.8%) had mild hearing loss, and 909 (29.0%) had moderate or greater hearing loss. Moderate or greater hearing loss was cross-sectionally associated with difficulty in 1 or more ADLs (odds ratio [OR], 1.27; 95% CI, 1.02-1.58), IADLs (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.05-1.71), and heavier tasks (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.04-1.62) compared with no hearing loss. Over time (mean [SD] follow-up, 1.9 [1.8] years), moderate or greater hearing loss was associated with a faster decline in the number of activities participants were able to do (β = −0.07 per year; 95% CI, −0.09 to −0.06) and greater odds of reporting inability to do 1 or more of the 4 activities (OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.05-1.24). Hearing aid users and nonusers did not differ.Conclusions and RelevanceThe results of this study suggest that moderate or greater hearing loss was associated with functional difficulties and may contribute to a faster decline in function longitudinally independent of sociodemographic and health covariates. Hearing aids did not change the association among those with hearing loss.