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A Deterioration in Hearing Is Associated With Functional and Cognitive Impairments, Difficulty With Communication, and Greater Health Instability.

Authors :
Williams N
Guthrie DM
Davidson JGS
Fisher K
Griffith LE
Source :
Journal of applied gerontology : the official journal of the Southern Gerontological Society [J Appl Gerontol] 2020 Feb; Vol. 39 (2), pp. 159-171. Date of Electronic Publication: 2018 Feb 05.
Publication Year :
2020

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the relationship between hearing deterioration and several health-related outcomes among home care clients in Ontario. Design: Longitudinal analysis was completed for clients with at least two comprehensive assessments. Hearing status, based on a single item, ranged from zero (no impairment) to three (highly impaired). Hearing deterioration was defined as at least a 1-point decline between subsequent assessments. Results: Seven percent experienced a 1-point deterioration in hearing and roughly 1% had a 2/3-point decline. After adjusting for other covariates, increasing age (odds ratio = 1.94; 95% confidence intervals [CIs] = [1.45, 2.61]) and a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (1.37; CI = [1.04, 1.80]) and other dementias (1.32; CI = [1.07, 1.63]) increased the risk of a 2/3-point deterioration. Conclusion: These findings can assist home care professionals and policy makers in creating and refining interventions to meet the needs of older adults with hearing difficulties.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1552-4523
Volume :
39
Issue :
2
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Journal of applied gerontology : the official journal of the Southern Gerontological Society
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
29402165
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1177/0733464818755312