Physical Inactivity and Sedentariness in Older Hearing Loss patients: Restoration With Hearing Aids

• Published in: The Laryngoscope 2024-12, Vol.134 (12), p.5109-5115
• Main Authors: Han, Sang‐Yoon, Seo, Hee Won, Lee, Seung Hwan, Chung, Jae Ho
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Correction of Hearing Impairment - methods; Cross-Sectional Studies; Exercise; Exercise - physiology; Female; Hearing aids; Hearing Aids - statistics & numerical data; Hearing loss; Hearing Loss - rehabilitation; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nutrition Surveys; physical activity; Republic of Korea - epidemiology; Sedentary Behavior; sedentary lifestyle; walking
• ISSN: 0023-852X; 1531-4995; 1531-4995
• DOI: 10.1002/lary.31638

Objectives Hearing loss causes numerous functional deficits. However, few studies have been conducted to assess the association between hearing loss and physical inactivity. This study aimed to evaluate the physical activity and sedentary behavior of hearing loss patients and their relation with the use of hearing aids. Materials and Methods We extracted participants over 60 years of age with information on hearing status and physical activities from the eighth Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey conducted from 2019 to 2020. We classified them into four groups: a normal hearing group (≤25 dB), a mild hearing loss group (>25 dB and ≤40 dB), a moderate hearing loss group (>40 dB and ≤50 dB), and a non‐serviceable hearing group (>50 dB). Additionally, we extracted hearing aid users with hearing levels exceeding 50 dB. Results After adjusting other factors, the non‐serviceable hearing group walked less frequently than the moderate (p = 0.004) and mild hearing loss group (p