title: Walking speed is associated with self-perceived hearing handicap in high-functioning older adults: The Fujiwara-kyo study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study investigated whether physical performance and musculoskeletal pain (MSP) are associated with self-perceived hearing handicap (HH) among high-functioning older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed a total of 3982 community-dwelling high-functioning older adults (age 65 years and older). HH was assessed using the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Elderly-Screening. Self-reported hearing impairment (HI) was evaluated using a single question. We measured handgrip strength, walking speed (WS) and standing balance for assessments of physical performance. The severity of MSP assessed by interviews took into account its duration, limitation of daily activity and frequency.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of HH and HI in our sample was 22.2% and 28.1%, respectively. After adjusting for other two physical performance measures, MSP, sex, age, education, marital status, risk factors for hearing loss, instrumental activity of daily living, depression, cognitive function and self-reported HI, the odds ratios for HH in the second fastest, the second slowest, and the slowest WS quartile were 1.14 (95% CI = 0.81-1.58), 1.29 (95% CI = 0.92-1.79), and 1.58 (95% CI = 1.11-2.23), respectively, compared with the fastest WS quartile. A significant dose-response relationship was found between slower WS and HH (P for trend = 0.01). No significant association with HH was found in handgrip strength, standing balance and MSP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  WS is associated with self-perceived HH in high-functioning older adults. The present study suggests that exercise programs to improve walking ability might be effective in preventing HH of self-sustainable older adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan.
authors.forename: Kimiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tomioka
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan.
authors.forename: Akihiro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Harano
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Osaka Electro-Communication University, Shijonawate, Japan.
authors.forename: Kan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hazaki
authors.affiliation: Sakai City Mental Health Center, Sakai, Japan.
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morikawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Tenri Health Care University, Tenri, Japan.
authors.forename: Junko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Iwamoto
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan.
authors.forename: Keigo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Saeki
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan.
authors.forename: Nozomi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Okamoto
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan.
authors.forename: Norio
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kurumatani
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D019986:Persons with Hearing Disabilities; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: community-dwelling elderly; hearing handicap; hearing impairment; physical performance measure; walking speed