Associations between self-reported hearing loss and outdoor activity limitations, psychological distress and self-reported memory loss among older people: Analysis of the 2016 Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions in Japan

Aim To investigate the associations between self-reported hearing loss and outdoor activity limitations, psychological distress and self-reported memory loss among older people. Methods We carried out a cross-sectional study using the data from the 2016 Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions in Japan. The study population included people aged >= 65 years living at home, without a clinical diagnosis of dementia. The exposure of interest was self-reported hearing loss, whereas outcomes included outdoor activity limitations (Yes/No), psychological distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale score of >= 5) and self-reported memory loss (Yes/No). We carried out logistic regression analyses, adjusted for age, sex, smoking, alcohol, educational status, number of household members, household expenditure and number of clinical diagnoses requiring outpatient visits. Results Among 137 723 older people (mean age 74.5 years [standard deviation 7.4 years], 45.1% men), 12 389 (9.0%) reported hearing loss. People with hearing loss showed a higher prevalence of outdoor activity limitations (28.9% vs 9.5%, P < 0.001), psychological distress (39.7% vs 19.3%, P < 0.001) and memory loss (37.7% vs 5.2%, P < 0.001) than those without. The adjusted odds ratios comparing people with and without hearing loss were 2.0 (95% confidence interval 1.9-2.1), 2.1 (95% confidence interval 2.0-2.1) and 7.1 (95% confidence interval 6.8-7.4) for outdoor activity limitations, psychological distress and self-reported memory loss. Conclusions This nationwide study suggested that older people with hearing loss were more likely to experience outdoor activity limitations, psychological distress and memory loss than those without. Early identification of and intervention in hearing loss might potentially reduce the risk of these poor health outcomes. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 747-754.