Hearing handicap, rather than measured hearing impairment, predicts poorer quality of life over 10 years in older adults

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• 作者：Bamini Gopinath^a ; Julie Schneider^b ; Louise Hickson^c ; ^d ; Catherine M. McMahon^d ; ^e ; George Burlutsky^a ; Stephen R. Leeder^b ; Paul Mitchell^a ; ^{paul_mitchell@wmi.usyd.edu.au}
• 关键词：Age-related hearing loss ; Blue Mountains Hearing Study ; Blue Mountains Eye Study ; Hearing handicap ; Hearing aid ; Quality of life
• 刊名：Maturitas
• 出版年：2012
• 期刊代码：192_03785122
• 类别：med
• 出版时间：June, 2012
• 卷：72
• 期：2
• 页码：146-151
• 文件大小：232 K

摘要

Background

We aimed to determine the prospective association between measured hearing impairment, self-reported hearing handicap and hearing aid use with quality of life.

Study design

829 Blue Mountains Hearing Study participants (鈮?5 years) were examined between 1997-1999 and 2007-2009. The shortened version of the hearing handicap inventory was administered. Hearing levels were measured using pure-tone audiometry. Quality of life was assessed using the 36-Item Short-Form Survey (SF-36); higher scores reflect better quality of life.

Results

Hearing impairment at baseline compared with no impairment was associated with lower mean SF-36 mental composite score 10 years later (multivariable-adjusted p = 0.03). Physical composite score and mean scores for seven of the eight SF-36 domains after 10-year follow-up were significantly lower among participants who self-reported hearing handicap at baseline. Differences in the adjusted means between participants with and without hearing handicap ranged from 2.7 (physical composite score) to 10.4 units (鈥榬ole limitations due to physical problems鈥?domain). Individuals who developed incident hearing impairment compared to those who did not, had adjusted mean scores 9.5- and 7.7-units lower in the 鈥榬ole limitation due to physical problems鈥? and 鈥榖odily pain鈥?domains, respectively, at the 10-year follow-up. Hearing aid users versus non-users at baseline showed a 1.82-point (p = 0.03) and 3.32-point (p = 0.01) increase in SF-36 mental composite score and mental health domain over the 10-year follow-up, respectively.

Conclusion

Older adults with self-perceived hearing handicap constitute a potential risk group for overall deterioration in quality of life, while hearing aid use could help improve the well-being of hearing impaired adults.