An American study has found that hearing loss is associated with poorer physical performance, faster decline in physical function and reduced walking endurance.

In the study, hearing loss was associated with higher odds of low physical performance scores. Compared to people with normal hearing, people with hearing loss had lower scores on for example gait speed and balance. The more severe the hearing loss was, the lower were the scores of physical performances.

About the study

2,956 seniors from 4 sites in the US (Washington County, Maryland, Forsyth County, North Carolina, Minneapolis, Minnesota and Jackson, Mississippi) participated in the study. 33% of the participants had normal hearing, 40% had mild hearing loss, 23% had moderate hearing loss and 4% had a severe hearing loss.

The data in the study was adjusted for sociodemographic factors and medical history.

The study, “Association of Age-Related Hearing Impairment With Physical Functioning Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in the US”, was published in the journal JAMA Network Open.

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov  and the journal JAMA Network Open.