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Self-Reported Hearing in the Last 2 Years of Life in Older Adults.

ABSTRACT: To assess the prevalence and correlates of self-reported hearing loss during the last 2 years of life.Observational cohort study.The Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a longitudinal nationally representative cohort of adults aged 50 and older (2000-13).Older adults (N = 5,895, mean age at death 78, 53% female, 20% nonwhite).The HRS interview closest to death was used (mean 12.2 months before death). Participants rated their hearing (excellent, very good, good, fair, poor) and indicated whether they used hearing aids. The prevalence and correlates of fair and poor ratings are described, adjusted for age and sex.Thirty-two percent (95% confidence interval (CI) = 31-34%) of all participants and 60% (95% CI = 57-64%) of the 7% of participants who used hearing aids rated their hearing as fair or poor. The prevalence of fair or poor hearing was highest in participants interviewed closest to death (29% 19-24 months before death, 36% 1-6 months before death, P for trend = .01). Correlates of fair or poor hearing during the last 2 years of life included age at death (50-59, 22%; 60-69, 21%; 70-79, 26%; 80-89, 38%; ?90, 50%), sex (men 35%, women 30%), race and ethnicity (Hispanic 42%, white 33%), wealth (lowest quartile 38%, highest quartile 27%), history of heart disease (yes 38%, no 27%), activity of daily living dependence (yes 42%, no 26%), difficulty taking medications (yes 46%, no 29%), and probable dementia (yes 44%, no 24%).Self-reported hearing loss increases during the last 2 years of life and is associated with physical and social vulnerability.

SUBMITTER: Smith AK

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4942375 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Self-Reported Hearing in the Last 2 Years of Life in Older Adults.

Smith Alexander K AK Ritchie Christine S CS Miao Yinghui Y Boscardin W John WJ Wallhagen Margaret L ML

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 20160624 7

<h4>Objectives</h4>To assess the prevalence and correlates of self-reported hearing loss during the last 2 years of life.<h4>Design</h4>Observational cohort study.<h4>Setting</h4>The Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a longitudinal nationally representative cohort of adults aged 50 and older (2000-13).<h4>Participants</h4>Older adults (N = 5,895, mean age at death 78, 53% female, 20% nonwhite).<h4>Measurements</h4>The HRS interview closest to death was used (mean 12.2 months before death). Part ...[more]

PMID: 27341383

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Project description:BackgroundIt is unclear whether visual and hearing acuity are independently or synergistically associated with muscle strength. We aimed to examine the associations of visual and self-reported hearing acuity with low handgrip strength and the additive interaction between visual and hearing acuity on low handgrip strength in people over 60 years.MethodData of 3,075 individuals aged over 60 years from the 2017 and 2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used for this cross-sectional study. Low handgrip strength was defined based on the 20th percentile of the study population (< 30.4 kg for male and < 17.7 kg for female). Visual and self-reported hearing acuity were each divided into three categories: good, moderate, and impaired. Multiple logistic regression and relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI) were performed.ResultsOf the 3,075 participants, 993 (32.3 %) demonstrated low handgrip strength. Low handgrip strength was more prevalent in participants with moderate (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.54, 95 % confidence interval [CI] = 1.12-2.12) and impaired visual acuity (AOR = 2.00, 95 % CI = 1.34-2.96). Both moderate and impaired self-reported hearing acuity were significantly associated with low handgrip strength (moderate: AOR = 1.25, 95 % CI = 1.01-1.55; impaired: AOR = 1.66, 95 % CI = 1.15-2.38). The more severe the sensory function decline, the higher the association with muscle weakness. Moreover, combined sensory impairments were associated with deteriorating low handgrip strength (AOR = 8.38), with significantly strong additive interactions (RERI = 2.61, 95 % CI = 2.52-2.70).ConclusionsAwareness is needed regarding the risk of reduced muscle strength in individuals with moderate and impaired sensory function. Older people with sensory function decline in clinical settings may benefit from programs such as exercise prescription to prevent muscle weakness.

Dataset Information

Self-Reported Hearing in the Last 2 Years of Life in Older Adults.

Publications

Self-Reported Hearing in the Last 2 Years of Life in Older Adults.

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