Abstract
Objectives: To better understand the potential impact of hearing impairment (HI) and hearing aid use on emotional vitality and mental health in older adults. Method: We investigated the cross-sectional association of HI with emotional vitality in 1,903 adults aged 76-85 years in the Health ABC study adjusted for demographic and cardiovascular risk factors. Hearing was defined by the speech frequency pure tone average (no impairment < 25 dB, mild impairment 25-40 dB, and moderate or greater impairment > 40 dB). Emotional vitality was defined as having a high sense of personal mastery, happiness, low depressive symptomatology, and low anxiety. Results: Compared with individuals with no HI, participants with moderate or greater HI had a 23% lower odds of emotional vitality (odds ratio [OR] = 0.77; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.59-0.99). Hearing aid use was not associated with better emotional vitality (OR = 0.98; 95% CI: 0.81-1.20). Discussion: HI is associated with lower odds of emotional vitality in older adults. Further studies are needed to examine the longitudinal impact of HI on mental health and well-being.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 400-404 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences |
Volume | 71 |
Issue number | 3 |
Early online date | 16 Feb 2016 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 May 2016 |
Keywords
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Emotional vitality
- Hearing
- Mental health
- Sensory impairment