Association of Hearing Impairment and Anxiety in Older Adults

Abstract

Objective The objective of the study is was investigate the association between hearing impairment and anxiety. Method We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 1,732 community-based adults aged 76 to 85 years who participated in the Health Aging and Body Composition (ABC) study. Logistic regression models were adjusted for demographic and cardiovascular risk factors. Hearing impairment was defined by the speech-frequency pure tone average. Anxiety was defined as reporting two symptoms of at least “a little” or one symptom “quite a bit” on the three-item Hopkins Symptom Checklist. Results Compared with individuals with no hearing impairment, the odds of prevalent anxiety were higher among individuals with mild hearing impairment (odds ratio [OR] = 1.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.01, 1.73]) and moderate or greater hearing impairment (OR = 1.59, 95% CI = [1.14, 2.22]). Hearing aid use was not significantly associated with lower odds of anxiety. Discussion Hearing impairment is independently associated with greater odds of anxiety symptoms in older adults.

Change in loneliness after intervention with cochlear implants or hearing aids

“…The association of hearing loss and loneliness has been previously documented in this population, as well as a population aged 18 to 30 years . This is consistent with other research, which has demonstrated an association between hearing loss and depression, social isolation, and anxiety . Pronk et al longitudinally followed loneliness in individuals with hearing loss.…”

The association amongst visual, hearing, and dual sensory loss with depression and anxiety over 6 years: The Tromsø Study

“…Thus, it appears that those with HL have a short‐term increase in global psychological distress, but symptoms do not increase over time, possibly indicative of adjustment to HL. Social isolation and sensory deprivation are possible mechanisms underlying the relationship between HL and anxiety . It remains plausible that improvements made in communication skills might partially account for the change observed in psychological symptomatology over time.…”

“…Limited cross‐sectional findings indicate that VL is associated with increased risk of anxiety . The relationship between HL and anxiety remains largely unexamined, although a small body of cross‐sectional evidence indicates that older adults with HL are more likely to have anxiety than those without . No studies to date have examined DSL and anxiety.…”

The relationship between chronic physical conditions, multimorbidity and anxiety in the general population: A global perspective across 42 countries

“…For example, it is well established that anxiety is associated with several chronic physical co-morbidities [1]. Of particular concern are cardiovascular diseases [8], diabetes [9], pulmonary diseases [10], chronic pain [11], infectious diseases such as tuberculosis [12], arthritis [13], edentulism [14], and mainly in older people, visual impairment [15] and hearing problems [16]. Given the increasing prevalence of chronic conditions worldwide [17], a further understanding of the determinants, consequences and management of the comorbidity between anxiety and chronic physical conditions should be a research priority.…”