Increased risk of depression in patients with acquired sensory hearing loss

Abstract

Acquired sensory hearing loss (SHL) is suggested to be associated with depression. However, some studies have reported conflicting results. Our study investigated the relationship between the prevalence of SHL and the incidence of depression over 12 years of follow-up by using data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). We sought to determine the association between SHL and subsequent development of depression and discuss the pathophysiological mechanism underlying the association.Patients with SHL were identified from the NHIRD (SHL cohort). A non-SHL cohort, comprising patients without SHL frequency-matched with the SHL patients according to age group, sex, and the year of diagnosis of SHL at the ratio of 1:4, was constructed, and the incidence of depression was evaluated in both cohorts. A multivariable model was adjusted for age, sex, and comorbidity.The SHL cohort and non-SHL cohort comprised 5043 patients with SHL and 20,172 patients without SHL, respectively. The incidences density rates were 9.50 and 4.78 per 1000 person-years in the SHL cohort and non-SHL cohort, respectively. After adjustment for age, sex, and comorbidities, the risk of depression was higher in the SHL cohort than in the non-SHL cohort (hazard ratio = 1.73, 95% confidence interval = 1.49–2.00).Acquired SHL may increase the risk of subsequent depression. The results demonstrated that SHL was an independent risk factor regardless of sex, age, and comorbidities. Moreover, a strong association between hearing loss and subsequent depression among Taiwanese adults of all ages, particularly those aged ≤49 and >65 years and without using steroids for the treatment of SHL was observed. Prospective clinical and biomedical studies on the relationship between hearing loss and depression are warranted for determining the etiopathology.

Longitudinal Pure‐Tone Threshold Changes in the Same Subjects: Analysis of Factors Affecting Hearing

“…Although depression does not have a direct effect on hearing, we should not overlook it because severe HL increases the risk of depression. 22,23 To this date, there has been no study indicating an association between fatty liver and hearing, and this was the same with our study. On the other hand, a case-control study suggested that patients with osteoporosis had a higher incidence of sensorineural HL, although there was a statistically significant age difference between the osteoporosis and control groups in the study.…”

“…In 112 subjects with depressive disorder, no difference in threshold changes was observed. Although depression does not have a direct effect on hearing, we should not overlook it because severe HL increases the risk of depression . To this date, there has been no study indicating an association between fatty liver and hearing, and this was the same with our study.…”

The relationship between hearing loss in older adults and depression over 12 years: Findings from the Three‐City prospective cohort study

“…Although an association between HL and incident MDD has been reported previously, we did not find an association with MDD. Differences in findings might be explained by the older mean age of our sample, with some evidence suggesting a stronger relationship between HL and depression in younger ages .…”

“…A Taiwanese study showed that over 12 years, HL was associated with increased incidence of depression relative to matched controls. 20 Concomitantly, an increased rate of depression symptoms following the onset of HL has also been observed. 21 Conversely, in a Dutch cohort, no relationship between HL and depression was found, although HL was associated with increased loneliness amongst men.…”

“…Furthermore, longitudinal examinations of HL and depression are scant, and the findings thus far are also contradictory. A Taiwanese study showed that over 12 years, HL was associated with increased incidence of depression relative to matched controls . Concomitantly, an increased rate of depression symptoms following the onset of HL has also been observed .…”