Self-Reported Hearing Status Is Associated with Lower Limb Physical Performance, Perceived Mobility, and Activities of Daily Living in Older Community-Dwelling Men and Women

ObjectivesTo explore the associations between self-reported hearing problems and physical performance and self-reported difficulties in mobility and activities of daily living (ADLs) in community-dwelling older adults. DesignCross-sectional cohort study. SettingCommunity. ParticipantsMen and women aged 75 to 90 (N=848). MeasurementsStructured face-to-face interviews to assess perceived hearing problems in the presence of noise, mobility difficulties (moving indoors, stair-climbing, 0.5-km walk, 2-km walk), and difficulties in ADLs and instrumental ADLs. The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) was administered. Age; years of education; cognitive functioning; and self-reported cardiac, circulatory, and locomotor diseases were used as covariates. ResultsPersons who reported major hearing problems had a lower SPPB total score than those who reported good hearing (mean 9.8 vs 10.9, P=.009), indicating poorer performance, and more difficulties in ADLs (mean 1.8 vs 1.4, P=.002) and IADLs (mean 4.6 vs 3.4, P=.002), after controlling for covariates. They were also more likely to have more difficulty in stair-climbing (odds ratio (OR)=2.8, P<.001) and walking 2km (OR=2.1, P=.003) and tended to have more difficulty in walking 0.5km (OR=1.7, P=.05) but not moving indoors (P=.18). Persons who reported only some hearing problems did not differ from those who reported good hearing in any of the variables studied. ConclusionPerceived major hearing problems in older adults may contribute to poorer lower limb performance and difficulties in mobility and ADLs. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether poor hearing is a risk factor for decline in physical performance.