Older people who report hearing loss are more likely to experience outdoor activity limitations, experience psychological distress and are more likely to have memory loss than those without hearing loss, a Japanese study finds.

Study findings

People with hearing loss showed a higher prevalence of outdoor activity limitations. 28.9% of those who reported hearing loss experienced limitations compared to 9.5% of those without hearing loss. 39.7% of those with hearing loss said that they experienced psychological distress compared to 19.3% of those without hearing loss. Memory loss was reported by 37.7% of those with hearing loss but only by 5.2% of those without hearing loss.

The adjusted odds ratios comparing people with and without hearing loss were 2.0, 2.1 and 7.1 for outdoor activity limitations, psychological distress and self-reported memory loss, the study found.

About the study

The study included 137,723 people aged 65 years or older living at home, without a clinical diagnosis of dementia. 12,389 of the participants (9%) reported hearing loss. The aim of the study was to investigate the associations between self-reported hearing loss and outdoor activity limitations, psychological distress and self-reported memory loss among older people.

The study, “Associations between self-reported hearing loss and outdoor activity limitations, psychological distress and self-reported memory loss among older people: Analysis of the 2016 Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions in Japan”, was published in the journal Geriatrics Gerontology International.

Sources: www.mcknights.com and Geriatrics Gerontology International