Association between Locomotive Syndrome and Hearing Loss in Community-Dwelling Adults

The relationship between hearing and motor function as a function of aging is unclear. Therefore, we aimed to clarify the relationship between age-related hearing loss and locomotive syndrome. In total, 240 participants aged =40 years, whose hearing acuity and motor function had been measured, were included in this study. Patients with a hearing acuity of <35 dB and =35 dB were categorized into normal and low hearing acuity groups, respectively. Motor function was compared according to sex between the groups. Among men, those in the low hearing acuity group (51/100) were older, had a significantly slower walking speed, and had a higher prevalence of locomotive syndrome than those in the normal group. Among women, those in the low hearing group (14/140) were older and had a significantly slower gait speed than those in the normal group. The multivariate analysis showed that, in the low hearing acuity group, age and gait speed were risk factors in men, while age was the only risk factor in women. In conclusion, hearing loss was associated with walking speed. The association between hearing loss and locomotive syndrome was observed only in men. In the multivariate analysis, hearing loss was associated with walking speed only in men.

Automated summary

This study examined the relationship between hearing and motor function in the aging process, and found that the relationship between hearing loss and locomotive syndrome is unclear. The results showed that among men, those with low hearing had a higher prevalence of locomotive syndrome and slower walking speed compared to those with normal hearing. Among women, only age and gait speed were associated with low hearing. In conclusion, hearing loss is associated with walking speed, and the association with locomotive syndrome is observed only in men.