Association between hearing aid use and mortality in adults with hearing loss in the USA: a mortality follow-up study of a cross-sectional cohort

Associations between hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy, balance, and survival in older primary care patients

BACKGROUND

Both age-associated hearing loss (AAHL) and peripheral neuropathy (PN) are common in older patients, and both are associated with impaired balance, falls, and premature mortality. The objectives of this study were to document the prevalence and severity of AAHL in older primary care patients, and to explore associations between AAHL, PN, balance, falls, and mortality.

METHODS

We analyzed information obtained in 1999 from 793 primary care patients recruited from practices participating in the Oklahoma Longitudinal Assessment of the Health Outcomes of Mature Adults (OKLAHOMA) Studies. Available data included demographic and health information, history of falls and hospitalizations, audiometry, balance testing, examination of the peripheral nerves, 50 foot timed gait, and dates of death up to 22 calendar years and 8106 person-years of follow-up. Proportionate hazards (PH) and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to examine associations between AAHL, PN, balance, gait time, and mortality.

RESULTS

501 of the 793 participants (63%) had AAHL. Another 156 (20%) had low frequency and 32 (4%) had unilateral deficits. Those with moderate or severe AAHL and the 255 (32%) with PN had impaired balance (p < 0.0001), increased gait time (p = 0.0001), and reduced survival time (p < 0.0001). In the PH model, both AAHL and PN were associated with earlier mortality (H.Rs. [95% C.I.]: 1.36 [1.13-1.64] and 1.32 [1.10-1.59] respectively). The combination of moderate or severe AAHL and PN, present in 24% of participants, predicted earlier mortality than predicted by either deficit alone (O.R. [95% C.I.I] 1.55 [1.25-1.92]). In the SEM models, the impacts of both moderate or severe AAHL and PN on survival were mediated, in part, through loss of balance.

CONCLUSIONS

Hearing loss and PN, both common in older patients, appear to be independently and additively associated with premature mortality. Those associations may be mediated in part by impaired balance. The Mechanisms are likely multiple and complex.

Physical Inactivity and Sedentariness in Older Hearing Loss patients: Restoration With Hearing Aids

OBJECTIVES

Hearing loss causes numerous functional deficits. However, few studies have been conducted to assess the association between hearing loss and physical inactivity. This study aimed to evaluate the physical activity and sedentary behavior of hearing loss patients and their relation with the use of hearing aids.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We extracted participants over 60 years of age with information on hearing status and physical activities from the eighth Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey conducted from 2019 to 2020. We classified them into four groups: a normal hearing group (≤25 dB), a mild hearing loss group (>25 dB and ≤40 dB), a moderate hearing loss group (>40 dB and ≤50 dB), and a non-serviceable hearing group (>50 dB). Additionally, we extracted hearing aid users with hearing levels exceeding 50 dB.

RESULTS

After adjusting other factors, the non-serviceable hearing group walked less frequently than the moderate (p = 0.004) and mild hearing loss group (p < 0.001) and walked less and sat more than the normal hearing group (walking frequency: p < 0.001; walking time: p = 0.020; and sitting time: p = 0.034). Also, the hearing aid users walked more frequently (p = 0.003) and for longer (p = 0.045) than the non-serviceable hearing group.

CONCLUSION

Hearing loss is associated with reduced walking and a sedentary lifestyle. The use of hearing aids is associated with improved physical activity. Appropriate interventions, including hearing aids, should be provided to hearing loss patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3 (individual cross-sectional study) Laryngoscope, 2024.

Meniere's Disease and Statins: Is There an Association? A Single Institution Study

Meniere's disease (MD) is a complex inner ear disease related to endolymphatic hydrops and with multiple other etiologies suggested including autoimmunity and vascular insufficiency. Statins are lipid-lowering medications with additional effects including reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation. We performed a cross-sectional study comparing patients with MD on statins to those not on statins to see if there is any difference in disease activity (major vertigo spells) and hearing stage utilizing linear and logistic regression. Our analysis showed no difference in the average number of major vertigo spells per month (β = .07, P = .9) between statin users and nonusers; however, statin users were found to have lower odds of worse hearing (odds ratio = 0.46, P = .047). Further studies are needed to confirm our results.