Title | Hearing Loss, Hearing Aid Use and Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults - Findings from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Neurocognitive Study (ARIC-NCS). |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2019 |
Authors | Shukla A, Reed N, Armstrong NM, Lin FR, Deal JA |
Secondary Authors | Goman AM |
Journal | J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci |
Date Published | 2019 Oct 19 |
ISSN | 1758-5368 |
Abstract | OBJECTIVES: Investigate the cross-sectional association between hearing loss (HL), hearing aid use, and depressive symptoms in community-dwelling older adults. METHOD: The analytic sample consisted of 3188 participants (age range 71-94 years) in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Neurocognitive Study (ARIC-NCS). Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the association of audiometric hearing status and self-reported hearing aid use with depressive symptoms (11-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale). RESULTS: 4.6% of participants had depressive symptoms. 40% had mild HL and 27% had moderate or greater HL. In multivariable-adjusted models, mild HL was associated with 1.90 times higher odds (95% Confidence Interval, [CI] 1.20-3.01) and moderate or greater HL with 2.42 times higher odds (95% CI 1.44-4.07) of depressive symptoms compared to normal hearing. Each 10dB increase in HL was associated with 1.30 higher odds of depressive symptoms (95% CI 1.14-1.49). Hearing aid use was not associated with depressive symptoms among those with mild (Odds Ratio [OR] 0.94, 95% CI 0.35-2.54) or moderate or greater (OR 1.12, 95% CI 0.60-2.11) HL. DISCUSSION: Older adults with HL have higher odds of depressive symptoms compared to adults with normal hearing. Future studies are needed to assess whether hearing care is protective against depressive symptoms in older adults. |
DOI | 10.1093/geronb/gbz128 |
Alternate Journal | J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci |
PubMed ID | 31628485 |
Grant List | U01 HL096812 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States |