Hearing loss and gait speed among older adults in the United States

BackgroundPrevious studies have suggested that hearing loss, which is highly prevalent but undertreated in older adults, may be associated with gait and physical functioning. Determining if hearing loss is independently associated with gait speed is critical toward understanding whether hearing rehabilitative interventions could help mitigate declines in physical functioning in older adults.MethodsWe analyzed cross-sectional data from the 1999 to 2002 cycles of the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey during which participants 50-69 years (n = 1180) underwent hearing and gait speed assessments. Hearing was defined by a pure tone average of hearing thresholds at 0.5-4 kHz tones in the better-hearing ear. Gait speed was obtained in a timed 20-ft (6.1 m) walk. Linear and logistic regression models were used to examine the association between hearing loss and gait speed while adjusting for demographic and cardiovascular risk factors. Analyses incorporated sampling weights to yield results generalizable to the U.S. population.ResultsIn a model adjusted for demographic and cardiovascular risk factors, a hearing loss was associated with slower gait speed (−0.05 m/s per 25 dB of hearing loss [95% CI: −0.09 to −0.02]) and an increased odds of having a gait speed <1.0 m/s (OR = 2.0 per 25 dB of hearing loss, 95% CI: 1.2-3.3). The reduction in gait speed associated with a 25 dB hearing loss was equivalent to that associated with an age difference of approximately 12 years.ConclusionsGreater hearing loss is independently associated with slower gait speed. Further studies investigating the mechanistic basis of this association and whether hearing rehabilitative interventions could affect gait and physical functioning are needed.

► In a study of 1180 adults ages 50-69 years, greater hearing loss was independently associated with slower gait speed. ► The mechanistic basis of this association is unknown. ► Studies investigating whether hearing rehabilitative interventions could affect gait and physical functioning are needed.