“Enhancing Lifespan: Hearing Aids Linked to Nearly 25% Reduction in Mortality Risk”
Hearing loss impacts around 40 million American adults, yet only one in 10 individuals requiring hearing aids actually use them, as per research findings. A recent study from Keck Medicine of USC, published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity, suggests that those who need hearing aids but do not use them may want to consider incorporating their use into their New Year’s resolutions.
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Hearing loss
The study, led by Janet Choi, MD, MPH, an otolaryngologist with Keck Medicine, revealed that adults with hearing loss who regularly used hearing aids experienced a 24% lower risk of mortality compared to those who never wore them. These results are significant, indicating that hearing aids might have a protective role in individuals’ health, potentially preventing premature death.
While prior research highlighted the negative consequences of untreated hearing loss, such as reduced life expectancy, social isolation, depression, and dementia, little research had explored whether hearing aid usage could mitigate the risk of death. This study stands out as the most comprehensive analysis to date regarding the relationship between hearing loss, hearing aid use, and mortality in the United States.
The research utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999-2012), identifying nearly 10,000 adults aged 20 and older who had undergone audiometry evaluations and completed questionnaires about their hearing aid use. The mortality status of participants was tracked over an average follow-up period of 10 years.
Among the 1,863 adults with hearing loss, 237 were regular hearing aid users, wearing them at least once a week, five hours a week, or half the time. The remaining 1,483 were categorized as never-users. The study found a consistent 25% difference in mortality risk between regular hearing aid users and never-users, unaffected by factors like the degree of hearing loss, demographics, and medical history. In contrast, occasional hearing aid use did not show any life-extending benefits.
Although the study did not investigate why hearing aids might contribute to longer life, Choi points to recent research linking hearing aid use with reduced levels of depression and dementia. Improved mental health and cognition resulting from enhanced hearing may positively impact overall health, potentially influencing life expectancy.
Choi acknowledges barriers to hearing aid use, such as cost, stigma, and challenges in finding well-fitting devices, and is working on an AI-driven database to address these issues. She advocates for larger studies to deepen our understanding of the connection between regular hearing aid use and lower mortality risk, emphasizing the importance of hearing care.
