The Prevalence of Hearing, Vision, and Dual Sensory Loss in Older Canadians: An Analysis of Data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence of hearing loss (HL), vision loss (VL), and dual sensory loss (DSL) in Canadians 45–85 years of age. Audiometry and visual acuity were measured. Various levels of impairment severity were described. Results were extrapolated to the 2016 Canadian population. In 2016, 1,500,000 Canadian males 45–85 years of age had at least mild HL, 1,800,000 had at least mild VL, and 570,000 had DSL. Among females, 1,200,000 had at least mild HL, 2,200,000 had at least mild VL, and 450,000 had DSL. Among Canadians 45–85 years of age, mild, moderate, and severe HL was prevalent among 13.4 per cent, 3.7 per cent, and 0.4 per cent of males, and among 11.3 per cent, 2.3 per cent, and 0.2 per cent of females, respectively. Mild and moderate, or severe VL was prevalent among 19.8 per cent and 2.4 per cent of males, and among 23.9 per cent and 2.6 per cent of females, respectively. At least mild DSL was prevalent among 6.4 per cent of males and 6.1 per cent of females.

Cognitive Impairment Indicator for the Neuropsychological Test Batteries in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging: Definition and Evidence for Validity

“…Diagnosis of mood disorder was associated with a trivial to small increased likelihood of cognitive impairment, consistent with meta-analyses demonstrating a small magnitude of association between depression and cognition (43). Similarly sensory loss had a trivial to small association with cognitive impairment, consistent with associations reported between cognition and sensory function (44). Bowel incontinence was associated with increased risk of cognitive impairment, potentially due to comorbidities of bowel incontinence with some neurological conditions (e.g., more advanced dementia); alternatively, this nding could be related to a possible link between bowel disorders and cognition via the vagus nerve (45).…”

The Relationship Between Hearing and Mild Behavioral Impairment and the Influence of Sex: A Study of Older Adults Without Dementia from the COMPASS-ND Study

“…In addition to dementia risk, hearing loss is also associated with higher rates of hospitalization/rehospitalization with longer hospital stays, frailty, depression, loneliness, social isolation, and the onset of overt behavioral symptoms in long term care [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. Hearing loss is more frequent in males than females, and the use of hear-ing aids also differs by sex [18][19][20]. These findings…”

Preventive Home Visit (PHV) Screening of Hearing and Vision Among Older Adults in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands: A Feasibility Study in a Small-Scale Community

“…Studies on DSL have shown to be prevalent among older adults. A Canadian study, analyzing data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging showed that 25% of the adults 70–75 years of age had DSL and the number is increasing, 10 something that, as already mentioned, can cause both depression and reduced quality of life in addition to functional disability. 11 …”

“…A Canadian study, analyzing data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging showed that 25% of adults 70–75 years of age had DSL and the number is increasing. 10 According to Jaiswal et al, DSL has been found to be the strongest predictor of functional disability and might increase the likelihood of depression and reduced quality of life. 11 …”