The health impact of a hearing disability on older people in Australia.
OBJECTIVE
A series of studies has proposed that hearing loss has adverse effects for other aspects of health. This article examines the health effects associated with self-reported hearing disability on older people.


METHODS
The study utilized the 2003 Australian Survey of Disability, Ageing, and Carers (n = 43,233), a weighted population-based survey providing data on self-reported disability and quality of life, to examine hearing disability among older Australians (55 years plus).


RESULTS
Of the estimated 654,113 people reporting hearing disability, 71% experienced limited communication and 60% used hearing aids. Compared with population norms, hearing disability at all levels was associated with poorer physical and mental health scores on the SF-12 measure, especially for people with severe or profound hearing loss, thus suggesting a threshold effect at advanced levels of disability.


CONCLUSIONS
Data support emerging literature suggesting a causal relationship between hearing disability and quality of life. Prospective studies to further examine this relationship are indicated.
Hogan
Anthony
A
The University of Sydney, Australia.
O'Loughlin
Kate
K
Miller
Peta
P
Kendig
Hal
H
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D001315:Australia; D003072:Cognition Disorders; D003144:Communication Barriers; D003863:Depression; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006310:Hearing Aids; D034381:Hearing Loss; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires