Negative consequences of hearing impairment in old age: A longitudinal analysis

To determine whether functional and psychosocial outcomes associated with h earing impairment are a direct result or stem from prevalent comorbidity, w e analyzed the impact of two levels of reported hearing impairment on healt h and psychosocial functioning one year later with adjustments for baseline chronic conditions. Physical functioning, mental health, and social functi oning decreased in a dose-response pattern for those with progressive level s of hearing impairment compared with those reporting no impairment. Our re sults demonstrate an independent impact of hearing impairment on functional outcomes, reveal increasing problems with higher levels of impairment, and support the importance of preventing and treating this highly prevalent co ndition.